MassVoter.com← Somerset Board of SelectmenSomerset Board of Selectmen · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
July 19, 2023
14 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Allen Smith, Jamison D. Souza, Jacob Vaught
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
That the Board enter into executive session at 5:31pm
From the minutes
“Selectman Souza motioned that the Board enter into executive session at 5:31pm: A. Pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a) (7), Approve Executive Session Minutes of June 14, 2023; B. Pursuant to M.G.L. chapter 30A, section 21 - (a) 3 - Discuss strategy with respect to litigation where an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the Town's litigation position - Brayton Point LLC (1 Brayton Point Road C. Pursuant to M.G.L. chapter 30A, section 21 (a) 2 - Conduct strategy session in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel - Assistant Treasurer Diane Perry That motion was seconded by Selectman Vaught and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0. Selectman Souza - aye, Selectman Smith- Aye and Selectman Vaught - Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Vaught)
To waive the reading of the minutes of May 31 2023 and approve as circulated
From the minutes
“A motion to waive the reading of the minutes of May 31 2023 and approve as circulated was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
To appoint Joshua Rancourt of Fall River, MA to the positon of Veterans' Service Officer effective July 26 2023
From the minutes
“A motion to appoint Joshua Rancourt of Fall River, MA to the positon of Veterans' Service Officer effective July 26 2023 was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
To appoint Stephen Dawson to the position of Patrol Officer effective August 6, 2023 contingent on final certification By the Massachusetts Post Commission
From the minutes
“A motion to appoint Stephen Dawson to the position of Patrol Officer effective August 6, 2023 contingent on final certification By the Massachusetts Post Commission was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
To appoint Stephens Lima of New Bedford to the positon of Patrol Officer effecting August 6, 2023 and certified by The Massachusetts Post Commission
From the minutes
“A motion to appoint Stephens Lima of New Bedford to the positon of Patrol Officer effecting August 6, 2023 and certified by The Massachusetts Post Commission was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
Selectman Vaught agreed with the two week period
From the minutes
“Selectman Vaught made a motion upon receiving the vacancy it will be announced at the next meeting and open a fourteen (14) day window. The Town Administrator will post on the website, all relevant boards and committees, the Council on Aging, Library and Town Hall. When closed it then goes to the board chair for interviews and if there are no applicants that board can extend the time period. The motion was seconded by Selectman Smith … The motion was unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
Review application filed by Somerset Berkley Education Foundation
To approve the Review application filed by Somerset Berkley Education foundation - Halloween 5K & Walk (Sharon Sullivan- Puccini) for Temporary Use of Town property Pierce Beach Park, South Street and along Riverside Avenue in Somerset, MA - Saturday, October 21, 2023, 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
From the minutes
“A motion to approve the Review application filed by Somerset Berkley Education foundation - Halloween 5K & Walk (Sharon Sullivan- Puccini) for Temporary Use of Town property Pierce Beach Park, South Street and along Riverside Avenue in Somerset, MA - Saturday, October 21, 2023, 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
To appoint the Town Administrator, Assessor Chair or designee, Treasurer, Accountant and a member of the Board of Selectmen as the Tax Increment Finance Committee
From the minutes
“A motion to appoint the Town Administrator, Assessor Chair or designee, Treasurer, Accountant and a member of the Board of Selectmen as the Tax Increment Finance Committee was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
To allow the Town Administrator to enter into negotiating a three (3) year contract
Yes: Jamison D. Souza, VaughtNo: Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to allow the Town Administrator to enter into negotiating a three (3) year contract was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Souza and voted by roll call 2-1 Selectman Vaught - aye, Selectman Souza - aye, Selectman Smith - nay.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Jamison D. Souza)
To vacate the previous motion
From the minutes
“A motion to vacate the previous motion was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
To extend the PEG for sixty days from the end date of the first extension
From the minutes
“A motion to extend the PEG for sixty days from the end date of the first extension was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
To sign the agreement for $817,890 with Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, LLC, to purchase a fire engine
From the minutes
“A motion to sign the agreement for $817,890 with Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, LLC, to purchase a fire engine was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Vaught and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Vaught)
To accept the IRS mileage reimbursement
From the minutes
“A motion to accept the IRS mileage reimbursement was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
To adjourn at 9:20 pm
From the minutes
“A motion to adjourn at 9:20 pm was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Vaught and unanimously approved by Selectmen.” (Motion: Smith, second: Vaught)
From the Somerset Board of Selectmen’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center. Most votes since 2019 are roll calls with each Selectman named; we check every count against the names and quote the exact wording. The Selectmen also sit as the town’s Board of Health, so Board of Health votes are included. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Member photos: Allen Smith and Todd Costa from Fall River Reporter; Joseph Bednarik from his Somerset Access TV candidate statement (2026).
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