MassVoter.com← Stoughton Select BoardStoughton Select Board · 2020–2021 Board · Regular meeting
January 19, 2021
7 recorded votes, 7 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Christine Howe, Stephen Cavey, Robert O'Regan, Joseph Mokrisky, Debra Roberts
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Christine Howe arrived late because of work.
Every vote, in order
Open the public hearing
Mr. Mokrisky made the motion, seconded by Ms. Roberts. On the motion, Ms. Roberts voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion carried 4-0.
Yes: Cavey, Mokrisky, O'Regan, RobertsChristine Howe arrived late because of work (the minutes say so) and the minutes do not show whether she was there for this vote, so she is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mokrisky made the motion, seconded by Ms. Roberts. On the motion, Ms. Roberts voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion carried 4-0..” (Motion: Mokrisky, second: Roberts)
Approve the application
Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to approve the application. Ms. Roberts seconded. Ms. Roberts voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion passed 4-0, Mr. Cavey thanked Mr. McGovern and wished him well.
Yes: Cavey, Mokrisky, O'Regan, RobertsChristine Howe arrived late because of work (the minutes say so) and the minutes do not show whether she was there for this vote, so she is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to approve the application. Ms. Roberts seconded. Ms. Roberts voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion passed 4-0, Mr. Cavey thanked Mr. McGovern and wished him well..” (Motion: Mokrisky, second: Roberts)
Close the public hearing
The motion to close the public hearing was made by Mr. Mokrisky, and seconded by Ms. Roberts. Ms. Roberts voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion carried 4-0.
Yes: Cavey, Mokrisky, O'Regan, RobertsChristine Howe arrived late because of work (the minutes say so) and the minutes do not show whether she was there for this vote, so she is not counted.
From the minutes
“The motion to close the public hearing was made by Mr. Mokrisky, and seconded by Ms. Roberts. Ms. Roberts voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion carried 4-0..” (Motion: Mokrisky, second: Roberts)
Approve the Consent Agenda, with the correction from Dr. Grimm
Mr. O'Regan made the motion, seconded by Mr. Mokrisky. Ms. Roberts voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion carried 4-0.
Yes: Cavey, Mokrisky, O'Regan, RobertsChristine Howe arrived late because of work (the minutes say so) and the minutes do not show whether she was there for this vote, so she is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. O'Regan made the motion, seconded by Mr. Mokrisky. Ms. Roberts voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion carried 4-0..” (Motion: O'Regan, second: Mokrisky)
Forward the budget draft
He made the motion to forward the budget draft. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion. Mr. Cavey asked for discussion. Ms. Roberts acknowledged the effort to be conservative with the budget. She asked if they could revisit the budget after people begin to be vaccinated, or after potential new Covid relief. Open Session Minutes - January 19, 2021 Dr. Grimm stated that that would be challenging, as revenues to the Town are connected to Covid relief, citing revenues from hotel and restaurants receipts. She asked that they focus on the low increase of 1.5% to the budget. She stressed that this was excellent, considering the impact of the pandemic. She also was optimistic that the shortfall of $140,000 was small and might very well be lessened by funding from chapter 70. Mr. O'Regan wanted not to stress Town employees about the health of their jobs or positions. He complimented the staff on all they had done to present the best budget possible. He added that the annual meeting of the Governor was scheduled for January 22, 2021. : Ms. Roberts expressed agreement with Mr. O'Regan. She said she wanted to give the public the opportunity to hear the discussion. Mr. O'Regan asked the Town Manager if changes or transitions in employment had been considered, He asked if new positions for hire could be staggered. Dr. Grimm spoke to possible reductions in some items due to moving services under DPW, but 2 that these reductions would be offset by increases in the departments assuming the services.
Yes: Cavey, Mokrisky, O'Regan, RobertsChristine Howe arrived late because of work (the minutes say so) and the minutes do not show whether she was there for this vote, so she is not counted.
From the minutes
“He made the motion to forward the budget draft. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion. Mr. Cavey asked for discussion. Ms. Roberts acknowledged the effort to be conservative with the budget. She asked if they could revisit the budget after people begin to be vaccinated, or after potential new Covid relief. Open Session Minutes - January 19, 2021 Dr. Grimm stated that that would be challenging, as revenues to the Town are connected to Covid relief, citing revenues from hotel and restaurants receipts. She asked that they focus on the low increase of 1.5% to the budget. She stressed that this was excellent, considering the impact of the pandemic. She also was optimistic that the shortfall of $140,000 was small and might very well be lessened by funding from chapter 70. Mr. O'Regan wanted not to stress Town employees about the health of their jobs or positions. He complimented the staff on all they had done to present the best budget possible. He added that the annual meeting of the Governor was scheduled for January 22, 2021. : Ms. Roberts expressed agreement with Mr. O'Regan. She said she wanted to give the public the opportunity to hear the discussion. Mr. O'Regan asked the Town Manager if changes or transitions in employment had been considered, He asked if new positions for hire could be staggered. Dr. Grimm spoke to possible reductions in some items due to moving services under DPW, but 2 that these reductions would be offset by increases in the departments assuming the services. Mr. Cavey asked that the shortfall not be dumped on the School Department. Mr. Rowe, Town Accountant added his comments that the budget was a good, lean budget. He stated that he agreed with the suggestion of Mr. O'Regan. He cautioned the Board not to make cuts that would result in cuts in services to the Town. He said the services offered to the Town are appreciated by the public, and he felt assured that the public would be willing to pay for these services, Ms. Roberts voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion passed 4-0..” (second: Roberts)
Forward the zoning article
Mr. O'Regan made the motion to forward the zoning article. Ms. Roberts voted yes, - Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion carried 4-0, Mr. O'Regan introduced a discussion of the articles for property acquisition, i.e. the Line Lumber Road.
Yes: Cavey, Mokrisky, O'Regan, RobertsChristine Howe arrived late because of work (the minutes say so) and the minutes do not show whether she was there for this vote, so she is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. O'Regan made the motion to forward the zoning article. Ms. Roberts voted yes, - Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion carried 4-0, Mr. O'Regan introduced a discussion of the articles for property acquisition, i.e. the Line Lumber Road..” (Motion: O'Regan)
Enter into executive session
Mr. O'Regan made the motion to enter into executive session. The motion was seconded by Ms. Roberts. Ms. Roberts voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion carried 4-0, Mr. Cavey stated that the Board would adjourn from the Executive Session.
Yes: Cavey, Mokrisky, O'Regan, RobertsChristine Howe arrived late because of work (the minutes say so) and the minutes do not show whether she was there for this vote, so she is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. O'Regan made the motion to enter into executive session. The motion was seconded by Ms. Roberts. Ms. Roberts voted yes, Mr. Mokrisky voted yes, Mr. O'Regan voted yes, Mr. Cavey voted yes. The motion carried 4-0, Mr. Cavey stated that the Board would adjourn from the Executive Session..” (Motion: O'Regan, second: Roberts)
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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