MassVoter.com← Stoughton Select BoardStoughton Select Board · 2019–2020 Board · Regular meeting
May 5, 2020
7 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Note on these minutes: Page 14 of the posted minutes repeats the end of the meeting (the consent agenda and adjournment votes); those votes are shown once.
Present: Robert O'Regan, Stephen Cavey, Christine Howe, Joseph Mokrisky
Absent: Michael Sullivan
Every vote, in order
Rephrased
Mr. Mokrisky made a motion, rephrased by Mr. O'Regan, that no property that is transferred in violation of the Town's rights under Chapter 61B will be eligible for or receive any permit. A second motion was made that Town Counsel notify this owner of that policy. Motions seconded by Ms. Howe. On a roll call, motions were voted 4-0, unanimously.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mokrisky made a motion, rephrased by Mr. O'Regan, that no property that is transferred in violation of the Town's rights under Chapter 61B will be eligible for or receive any permit. A second motion was made that Town Counsel notify this owner of that policy. Motions seconded by Ms. Howe. On a roll call, motions were voted 4-0, unanimously..” (Motion: Mokrisky, second: Howe)
Support the Open Space Committee's applications to CPC for the purchase of both the 24.6 acre and 5 acre parcels, The Chairman asked Mr. Mokrisky his view on this, having been opposed previously
Ms. Howe made a motion to support the Open Space Committee's applications to CPC for the purchase of both the 24.6 acre and 5 acre parcels, The Chairman asked Mr. Mokrisky his view on this, having been opposed previously to Open Space filing applications. Mr. Mokrisky feels that if the Board votes to allow them to bring the applications forward, then they would be authorized to do so. Ona roll call vote, the motion made by Ms. Howe was voted 4-0, unanimously.
From the minutes
“Ms. Howe made a motion to support the Open Space Committee's applications to CPC for the purchase of both the 24.6 acre and 5 acre parcels, The Chairman asked Mr. Mokrisky his view on this, having been opposed previously to Open Space filing applications. Mr. Mokrisky feels that if the Board votes to allow them to bring the applications forward, then they would be authorized to do so. Ona roll call vote, the motion made by Ms. Howe was voted 4-0, unanimously..” (Motion: Howe)
Form a Board that would be called the Covid-19 Advisory Board to The Stoughton Select Board
Mr. Cavey made a motion to form a Board that would be called the Covid-19 Advisory Board to The Stoughton Select Board. They would be responsible to review current policies and provide an audit of the current policies. They would also, with their expertise, provide policy recommendations. Finally, they would provide formal responses to questions from the Board of Selectmen that are posed as formal requests. Mr. Cavey decided on the size of the Advisory Board to be seven to nine seats. Ms. Howe seconded the motion. Ms. Howe thanked Mr. Cavey and wanted to clarify that the work of this Advisory Committee would be to report back to the Board and looking at policies of the Board vs. Town Operations. Mr. Cavey confirmed that to be the intent. She felt this can serve a valuable purpose. Mr. Mokrisky questioned whether this committee would deal with policies involving Covid-19 only. The Chairman responded that it would be advising the Board on policies as they are effected by Covid emergencies, Mr. Chairman did ask if this would be a group they could look to for advice on town elections and public safety. Mr. Mokrisky felt they have staff to ask and wouldn't need a citizens' committee for this purpose. He doesn't agree with this idea, feeling Town Manager and her staff have met challenges in Stoughton for the good of the people. He suggests that staff ask the Board if anything is needed. Mr. Cavey agreed that Town staff are outstanding but stated that his compiled list contains seve
Yes: Howe, Mokrisky, O'ReganNo: Cavey
From the minutes
“Mr. Cavey made a motion to form a Board that would be called the Covid-19 Advisory Board to The Stoughton Select Board. They would be responsible to review current policies and provide an audit of the current policies. They would also, with their expertise, provide policy recommendations. Finally, they would provide formal responses to questions from the Board of Selectmen that are posed as formal requests. Mr. Cavey decided on the size of the Advisory Board to be seven to nine seats. Ms. Howe seconded the motion. Ms. Howe thanked Mr. Cavey and wanted to clarify that the work of this Advisory Committee would be to report back to the Board and looking at policies of the Board vs. Town Operations. Mr. Cavey confirmed that to be the intent. She felt this can serve a valuable purpose. Mr. Mokrisky questioned whether this committee would deal with policies involving Covid-19 only. The Chairman responded that it would be advising the Board on policies as they are effected by Covid emergencies, Mr. Chairman did ask if this would be a group they could look to for advice on town elections and public safety. Mr. Mokrisky felt they have staff to ask and wouldn't need a citizens' committee for this purpose. He doesn't agree with this idea, feeling Town Manager and her staff have met challenges in Stoughton for the good of the people. He suggests that staff ask the Board if anything is needed. Mr. Cavey agreed that Town staff are outstanding but stated that his compiled list contains several people with PhDs, heavily involved in these questions. He believes Town staff do not have the same expertise. Ms. Howe agreed with Mr. Mokrisky that she doesn't want this to take over the operations of Town staff but if it is simply advisory and educational, which the purpose seems to be, then she sees no issues with it. She feels they may get some valuable information from this. Mr. Mokrisky suggested that any advice could be called into the Town Manager. He doesn't question Mr. Cavey's motive but sees this as a difference of opinion. He added that if there is a policy the Board needs to make, they could have an emergency meeting but doesn't think the extra layer is needed. The Chairman stated that he doesn't hear this as a challenge to Town Manager or staff but as being more open to advice and a good thing that can only help the Board. He stated that Town staff has a lot on their plate and sees this as a tool that can also provide expertise staff may not have. Some discussion followed, clarifying that this Advisory Committee would not be interacting with staff but advisory only to the Board of Selectmen. On a roll call, the motion made by Mr. Cavey was voted 3-1, Ms. Howe voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan : voted yes. Mr. Cavey opposed..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Howe)
Reconsider the vote to set the Town Election
Mr. Cavey, because of his respect for Ms. Fleming, made a motion to reconsider the vote to set the Town Election. Mr. Mokrisky seconded the motion. On a roll call, the motion to reconsider was voted 3-0-1, Ms. Howe recused. Motion to reconsider adopted.
Yes: Cavey, Mokrisky, O'Regan
From the minutes
“Mr. Cavey, because of his respect for Ms. Fleming, made a motion to reconsider the vote to set the Town Election. Mr. Mokrisky seconded the motion. On a roll call, the motion to reconsider was voted 3-0-1, Ms. Howe recused. Motion to reconsider adopted..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Mokrisky)
The Town Election be held on Tuesday, June 9th
Mr. Mokrisky made a motion that the Town Election be held on Tuesday, June 9th, Motion seconded by Mr. Cavey. Mr. O'Regan expressed safety concerns. He asked for a sense of where they are on a safety demonstration. Dr. Grimm gave an update. Ms. Cararra stated that she needed a date to figure out how many people she will need to work and is getting good feedback from poll workers. She also gave an update on what is being done for safety precautions, including mention of police at each location. Her feeling is there will be a lot of mail in ballots this time around. She is satisfied that arrangements, being set up for conducting Town Election, will provide a safe environment for poll workers and voters. Town Manager added that they are working with Janiece Bruce as the public health person as well. She described it as making a situation with far less exposure than the few places that people are going. She did suggest that people with compromised health use the mail in ballots. The idea of shorter hours was brought up but not being considered ...longer hours allowing people to spread out throughout the day more. Further discussion ensued around the June 9th date. Chairman O'Regan stated that he will support the date of June 9th but will ask Town Counsel for a ruling on whether there is a condition for public access or some other control given the public health risk, that the safety measure design may be placed under the Board's authority under Chapter 111 and that the voting loc
Yes: Cavey, Mokrisky, O'Regan
From the minutes
“Mr. Mokrisky made a motion that the Town Election be held on Tuesday, June 9th, Motion seconded by Mr. Cavey. Mr. O'Regan expressed safety concerns. He asked for a sense of where they are on a safety demonstration. Dr. Grimm gave an update. Ms. Cararra stated that she needed a date to figure out how many people she will need to work and is getting good feedback from poll workers. She also gave an update on what is being done for safety precautions, including mention of police at each location. Her feeling is there will be a lot of mail in ballots this time around. She is satisfied that arrangements, being set up for conducting Town Election, will provide a safe environment for poll workers and voters. Town Manager added that they are working with Janiece Bruce as the public health person as well. She described it as making a situation with far less exposure than the few places that people are going. She did suggest that people with compromised health use the mail in ballots. The idea of shorter hours was brought up but not being considered ...longer hours allowing people to spread out throughout the day more. Further discussion ensued around the June 9th date. Chairman O'Regan stated that he will support the date of June 9th but will ask Town Counsel for a ruling on whether there is a condition for public access or some other control given the public health risk, that the safety measure design may be placed under the Board's authority under Chapter 111 and that the voting location be governed strictly by those public safety measures that each voter must follow. He doesn't want people upset that their right to vote is being restricted but also doesn't want to promote people getting sick. He wil! ask for the ruling and then may ask the Board to amend the conditions for the election so the voting procedure will include each voter being given a mask, a pen, gloves. By roll call, on the motion to set the Town Election date for June 9th, it was voted 3-0-1, Ms. Howe recused..” (Motion: Mokrisky, second: Cavey)
Approve
A motion to approve was made by Mr. Mokrisky and seconded by Mr. Cavey. On a roll call, it was voted 4-0, unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda.
From the minutes
“A motion to approve was made by Mr. Mokrisky and seconded by Mr. Cavey. On a roll call, it was voted 4-0, unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda..” (Motion: Mokrisky, second: Cavey)
Adjourn
A motion was made to adjourn by Mr. Cavey, seconded by Mr. Mokrisky. By means of roll call, it was voted 4-0, unanimously. Mr. Cavey voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Ms. Howe voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes.
From the minutes
“A motion was made to adjourn by Mr. Cavey, seconded by Mr. Mokrisky. By means of roll call, it was voted 4-0, unanimously. Mr. Cavey voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Ms. Howe voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Mokrisky)
From the Stoughton Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Select Board member photos: video stills from Stoughton Media Access Corporation (SMAC, Stoughton’s local cable TV), each from a program that names the member on screen: Joseph Mokrisky from “Community Forum - Joe Mokrisky - Chairman of Select Board” (2021); Debra Roberts from “Stoughton Politics with...This Guy: Talking with Debra Roberts” (2025); Stephen Cavey from “Stoughton Politics with... This Guy: Interview with Select Board Chair Stephen Cavey” (2025); Scott Carrara from “Community Forum - Scott Carrara - Running for Stoughton Board of Selectmen” (2021); Lori Jacques from “A Lioness & You on the Watch: Interview with Select Board Candidate Lori Jacques” (2026). Former members show initials.
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