MassVoter.com← Somerset Board of SelectmenSomerset Board of Selectmen · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
February 26, 2026
12 recorded votes, 0 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 Costa motioned that the Board enter into executive session at 5:31 pm: A. Pursuant to M.G.L. chapter 30A, section 21 - (a) (6) Consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property whereas an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the Town's negotiating position - Riverside Avenue (Assessor's Map D1, Lot 110); That motion was seconded by Selectman Souza and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0. Selectman Smith - aye, Selectman Souza - Aye and Selectman Costa - aye.” (Motion: Costa, second: Jamison D. Souza)
Chapter 30B, section 16a and Article 21 Surplus Equipment By-law- Fire Chief Barros states he is looking to have the oldest engine in his fleet declared surplus, they are expecting the delivery of new equipment and do not have room to house both of them
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion that the fire engine as described on the agenda be designated as surplus equipment pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30B, section 16a and Article 21 Surplus Equipment By-law 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)
To waive the reading of January 8, 2026 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 January 8, 2026 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)
Selectman Smith agreed and is confident the Planning Board will have a complete hearing on this and go through everything
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion that the two parcels as indicated on the agenda be referred to Somerset Planning Board 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)
To set the deadline for Talent Bank Applications to Friday March 13, 2026
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to set the deadline for Talent Bank Applications to Friday March 13, 2026, 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 setting the Annual Town Meeting date
To set the date for Annual Town Meeting for Saturday May 30, 2026, at 10:00 am
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to set the date for Annual Town Meeting for Saturday May 30, 2026, at 10:00 am 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 opening of Annual Town Meeting; set deadline for Citizens Petitioned Articles
To set the deadline for Citizens Petitioned Articles for Friday March 27, 2026, at 10 am
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to set the deadline for Citizens Petitioned Articles for Friday March 27, 2026, at 10 am 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 Milage Reimbursement Rate for 2026
To increase the rate for business standard mileage to 72.5 cents per mile
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to increase the rate for business standard mileage to 72.5 cents per mile was made by Selectman Costa, seconded by Selectman Souza and approved by a roll vote. Selectman Souza- Aye, Selectman Smith- Aye and Selectman Costa- Aye.” (Motion: Costa, second: Jamison D. Souza)
Discuss & act on application filed by Keep Somerset Beautiful (Economic Development Committee)
To allow Keep Somerset Beautiful (Economic Development Committee)- Clean Up for Temporary Use of Town Property - Town Hall Parking Lot 140 Wood Street, and various roads and sidewalks on Saturday, April 25, 2026, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to allow Keep Somerset Beautiful (Economic Development Committee)- Clean Up for Temporary Use of Town Property - Town Hall Parking Lot 140 Wood Street, and various roads and sidewalks on Saturday, April 25, 2026, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 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 approve Temporary Use of Town Property - Road Race - various roads and Chick Marchand Park for parking on Saturday, September 19, 2026, subject of review of Police and Fire Departments
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to approve Temporary Use of Town Property - Road Race - various roads and Chick Marchand Park for parking on Saturday, September 19, 2026, subject of review of Police and Fire Departments 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 application field by Southcoast Opportunities for Artisans & Makers (SOAM)
She has had fifteen new food trucks signed on for Southcoast Opportunities for Artisans & Makers (SOAM)
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion that we allow Southcoast Opportunities for Artisans & Makers (SOAM) - Allison Faunce for Temporary Use of Town Property - Foodchella 9 - Slade Ferry Park, (Chick Marchand Park & Map B1, Lot 138 Riverside Avenue for parking) on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as well as for set up time as written in application 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 8:19 pm
Yes: Costa, Jamison D. Souza, Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to adjourn at 8:19 pm 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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