MassVoter.com← Somerset Board of SelectmenSomerset Board of Selectmen · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
January 8, 2026
20 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Allen Smith, Jamison D. Souza, Todd Costa
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
That the Board enter into executive session at 5:31 pm
From the minutes
“Selectman Souza motioned that the Board enter into executive session at 5:31 pm: A. Pursuant to M.G.L. chapter 30A, section 21 - (a) (7) Approve Executive Session Minutes of December 4, 2025, and December 17, 2025 That motion was seconded by Selectman Costa and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0. Selectman Smith - aye, Selectman Souza - Aye and Selectman Costa - aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Costa)
Licenses: Public Hearing
To open a public hearing to discuss and act on an application filed by ATM Brothers doing business as Somerset Country Store 1804 County Street in Somerset, MA for change of Manager from Bansi Patel to Smit Patel
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to open a public hearing to discuss and act on an application filed by ATM Brothers doing business as Somerset Country Store 1804 County Street in Somerset, MA for change of Manager from Bansi Patel to Smit Patel was made by Selectman Souza at 6:05pm, was seconded by Selectman Costa and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Costa- Aye and Selectman Smith- Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Costa)
To approve the application filed by ATM Brothers doing business as Somerset Country Store, 1804 County Street in Somerset, MA for change of manager from Bansi Patel to Smit Patel
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to approve the application filed by ATM Brothers doing business as Somerset Country Store, 1804 County Street in Somerset, MA for change of manager from Bansi Patel to Smit Patel was made by Selectman Costa, seconded by Selectman Souza and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Smith- Aye, and.” (Motion: Costa, second: Jamison D. Souza)
Discuss & act on application filed by South Coast Hospitality LLC doing business as Fairfield Inn & Suites for a Common Victualler License
To give South Coast Hospitality LLC doing business as Fairfield Inn and Suites a Common Victualler License
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to give South Coast Hospitality LLC doing business as Fairfield Inn and Suites a Common Victualler License was made by Selectman Souza, seconded by Selectman Costa and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Costa- Aye and Selectman Smith- Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Costa)
Motion (the minutes do not give its wording)
Yes: Jamison D. Souza, SmithNo: Costa
From the minutes
“motion was seconded by Selectman Smith and approved by Selectmen 2-1. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Smith- Aye and Selectman Costa- Nay.” (second: Smith)
Discuss & act on application filed by Rally Motors LLC (Richard Lewis) for a Class II Auto Dealers License at the premises located at 1905 Wilbur Avenue, in Somerset, MA
To approve the application filed by Rally Motors LLC (Richard Lewis) for a Class II Auto Dealers License at the premises located at 1905 Wilbur Avenue, in Somerset, MA
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to approve the application filed by Rally Motors LLC (Richard Lewis) for a Class II Auto Dealers License at the premises located at 1905 Wilbur Avenue, in Somerset, MA was made by Selectman Souza, seconded by Selectman Costa and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Smith- Aye and Selectman Costa- Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Costa)
To approve the petition filed by Massachusetts Company doing business as National Grid for permission to install 1 J0 pole, on Buffinton Street and County
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to approve the petition filed by Massachusetts Company doing business as National Grid for permission to install 1 J0 pole, on Buffinton Street and County was made by Selectman Souza, seconded by Selectman Costa and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Costa- Aye and Selectman Smith- Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Costa)
Discuss & act on hearing request by Country Farms 994 County Street, Somerset, MA
To open the hearing request by Country Farms 994 County Street, Somerset, MA - Non- Compliance Hearing: Second (2nd) Violation under 105 CMR 665.00 selling tobacco products to a person under the minimum legal sales age
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to open the hearing request by Country Farms 994 County Street, Somerset, MA - Non- Compliance Hearing: Second (2nd) Violation under 105 CMR 665.00 selling tobacco products to a person under the minimum legal sales age was made by Selectman Souza, seconded by Selectman Smith and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza-Aye, Selectman Smith- Aye and Selectman Costa- Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Smith)
To close the public hearing at 7:16pm
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to close the public hearing at 7:16pm was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Souza and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Smith- Aye, Selectman Souza- Aye and Selectman Costa- Aye.” (Motion: Smith, second: Jamison D. Souza)
The Board discussed their thoughts on the suspension, and they agreed on a two-day suspension
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion based on the hearing by Country Farms 994 County Street, Somerset, Massachusetts Non- Compliance Hearing: Second (2nd) Violation under 105 CMR 665.00 selling tobacco products to a person under the minimum legal sales age in addition to the $2,000.00 fine that has already been paid that there be a two-day suspension of selling tobacco within the next thirty days was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Souza and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Costa- Aye and Selectman Smith- Aye.” (Motion: Smith, second: Jamison D. Souza)
To recess at 7:26 pm for five minutes
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to recess at 7:26 pm for five minutes was made by Selectman Souza, seconded by Selectman Costa and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Costa- Aye and Selectman Smith- Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Costa)
To waive the reading of November 25,2025, and December 4, 2025, meeting of the Board of Selectmen and approve as circulated
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to waive the reading of November 25,2025, and December 4, 2025, meeting of the Board of Selectmen and approve as circulated was made by Selectman Souza, seconded by Selectman Costa and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Costa- Aye and Selectman Smith- Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Costa)
Discuss & act on vote to authorize the Police Chief to assign Police details for the 2026 calendar year elections
To accept the Clerk's recommendation for number of Police for the 2026 calendar year elections as she requested
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to accept the Clerk's recommendation for number of Police for the 2026 calendar year elections as she requested was made by Selectman Costa, seconded by Selectman Souza and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Costa- Aye, and Selectman Smith- Aye.” (Motion: Costa, second: Jamison D. Souza)
Discuss & act on appointment of Town Planner Amy Messier to the Economic Development Committee for an unexpired term
To appoint Town Planner Amy Messier to the Economic Development Committee for an unexpired term
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to appoint Town Planner Amy Messier to the Economic Development Committee for an unexpired term was made by Selectman Souza, seconded by Selectman Costa and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Costa- Aye, and Selectman Smith- Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Costa)
Discuss & act on deadline for Talent Bank Applications
To set the deadline for talent bank applications to January 22, 2026
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to set the deadline for talent bank applications to January 22, 2026, was made by Selectman Souza, seconded by Selectman Costa and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Costa- Aye, and Selectman Smith- Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Costa)
Discuss & act on appointment of Barbara Shott to the Cultural Council for term ending June 30, 2032
To appoint Barbara Shott to the Cultural Council for term ending June 30, 2032
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to appoint Barbara Shott to the Cultural Council for term ending June 30, 2032, was made by Selectman Souza, seconded by Selectman Smith and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Smith- Aye, and Selectman Costa- Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Smith)
Discuss & act on vote to extend Shared Service Agreements with the Town of Swansea Town Nurse, until June 30, 2027 Animal Control, until June 30, 2027
Selectman Smith states that sharing services saves money and they are always able to meet the obligation
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion we vote to extend shared services agreements with the Town of Swansea Town Nurse, until June 30, 2027, Animal Control, until June 30, 2027, was made by Selectman Costa, seconded by Selectman Souza and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Costa- Aye, and Selectman Smith- Aye.” (Motion: Costa, second: Jamison D. Souza)
Discuss & act on Board of Selectmen's License renewal process, late fees
To set a $25.00 per day late fee for failure to renew license
Yes: Costa, SmithNo: Jamison D. Souza
From the minutes
“A motion to set a $25.00 per day late fee for failure to renew license was made by Selectman Costa, seconded by Selectman Smith and approved by Selectman 2-1. Selectman Costa- Aye, Selectman Smith- Aye and Selectman Souza- Nay.” (Motion: Costa, second: Smith)
License renewal process, late fees
To accept donations
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to accept donations was made by Selectman Souza, seconded by Selectman Costa and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Costa- Aye, and Selectman Smith- Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Costa)
To adjourn at 9:03pm
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to adjourn at 9:03pm was made by Selectman Souza, seconded by Selectman Costa and approved by a roll call vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Costa- Aye and Selectman Smith- Aye.” (Motion: Jamison D. Souza, second: Costa)
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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