MassVoter.com← Somerset Board of SelectmenSomerset Board of Selectmen · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
December 4, 2024
13 recorded votes, 10 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 5:04 pm
From the minutes
“Selectman Souza motioned that the Board enter into executive session at 5:04 pm: A. 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); B. Pursuant to M.G.L. chapter 30A, section 21 (a) 7 - Approve Executive Session Minutes of November 13, 2024; C. Pursuant to M.G.L. chapter 30A, section 21 (a) 7 - Review & approve redacted Executive Session minutes for May 1, 2024, May 8, 2024, May 29, 2024, June 13, 2024, June 26, 2024, July 10, 2024, July 31, 2024, September 25, 2024, October 9, 2024 & October 28, 2024; D. Pursuant to M.G.L. chapter 30A, section 21 (a) 2 - Conduct strategy session in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel - Deputy Police Chief ; E. Pursuant to M.G.L. chapter 30A, section 21 - (a) 3 - Discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining where an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the Town's bargaining position - Police Senior Officers Union That motion was seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0. Selectman Souza - aye, Selectman Vaught - Aye and Selectman Smith - aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Smith)
To waive the reading of the May 20, 2024, October 28, 2024, & November 13, 2024, meetings of the Board of Selectmen and approve as circulated
From the minutes
“A motion to waive the reading of the May 20, 2024, October 28, 2024, & November 13, 2024, meetings of the Board of Selectmen and approve as circulated was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Souza and voted 2-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Jamison D. Souza)
Public Hearing 6:00 PM -6:00 PM
To open the Public Hearing
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to open the Public Hearing was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Vaught and unanimously voted by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Vaught)
To close the public hearing
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to close the public hearing was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Vaught and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Vaught)
To set the shit at 1.74
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to set the shit at 1.74 was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Vaught, and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Vaught)
To promote Lieutenant Jay Borges to the position of Deputy Police Chief effective December 4, 2024
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to promote Lieutenant Jay Borges to the position of Deputy Police Chief effective December 4, 2024 was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
Discuss & act on vote to approve employment contract with Deputy Police Chief Jay Borges
To approve the employment contract with Deputy Chief Jay Borges, December 4, 2024-December 3, 2027
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to approve the employment contract with Deputy Chief Jay Borges, December 4, 2024-December 3, 2027 was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Vaught and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Vaught)
Discuss & act on vote to promote Sergeant Adam DaRosa to the position of Lieutenant
To promote Sergeant Adam DaRosa to the positon of Lieutenant effective December 4, 2024
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to promote Sergeant Adam DaRosa to the positon of Lieutenant effective December 4, 2024 was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Vaught and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Vaught)
To vote to approve and sign the Memorandum of Agreement with New England Police Benevolent Association
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to vote to approve and sign the Memorandum of Agreement with New England Police Benevolent Association was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectmen Vaught and unanimously approve by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Vaught)
To sign agreement with Energy Conservation Inc. for the project known as the Somerset Library Roof Top Units Installation
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to sign agreement with Energy Conservation Inc. for the project known as the Somerset Library Roof Top Units Installation was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Vaught and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Vaught)
To vote pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 53A to accept a one thousand five hundred ($1,500.00) dollar donation from St. Michael's Credit Union, on behalf of the Somerset Police Department and authorize deposit into the Police Athletic League Donation Account # 29 3580 212
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to vote pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 53A to accept a one thousand five hundred ($1,500.00) dollar donation from St. Michael's Credit Union, on behalf of the Somerset Police Department and authorize deposit into the Police Athletic League Donation Account # 29 3580 212 was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
To on vote pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 53A to accept a two hundred fifty dollar donation ($250.00) from Phyllis J. Bettencourt on behalf of the Somerset Fire Department and authorize deposit into the Fire General Donation Account # 29 3580 220
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to on vote pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 53A to accept a two hundred fifty dollar donation ($250.00) from Phyllis J. Bettencourt on behalf of the Somerset Fire Department and authorize deposit into the Fire General Donation Account # 29 3580 220 was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Smith and unanimously approved by Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Smith)
To adjourn at 8:05 pm
From the minutes
“A motion to adjourn at 8:05 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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