MassVoter.com← Stoughton Select BoardStoughton Select Board · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
July 5, 2023
15 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Debra Roberts, Stephen Cavey, Scott Carrara, Louis Gitto
Absent: Joseph Mokrisky
Every vote, in order
Open the meeting
The motion to open the meeting was made by Vice chair Cavey and seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion passed.
The minutes record the result only, not a count or how each member voted.
From the minutes
“The motion to open the meeting was made by Vice chair Cavey and seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion passed..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Open the public hearing
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to open the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The Board voted 4 yes 0 no to proceed.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to open the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The Board voted 4 yes 0 no to proceed..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Continue the hearing until Tuesday, July 11, 2023 p.m. and the dogs are to remain kenneled, 10 dollars/day at the expense of the owner
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to continue the hearing until Tuesday, July 11, 2023 p.m. and the dogs are to remain kenneled, 10 dollars/day at the expense of the owner. Mr. Carrara seconded the motion. The Board voted 4 yes 0 no.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to continue the hearing until Tuesday, July 11, 2023 p.m. and the dogs are to remain kenneled, 10 dollars/day at the expense of the owner. Mr. Carrara seconded the motion. The Board voted 4 yes 0 no..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Adopt the Order of Taking for the Tosca Drive project in the form as presented and to award damages for the taking to the affected owners in the amount indicated on a schedule provided for that
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to adopt the Order of Taking for the Tosca Drive project in the form as presented and to award damages for the taking to the affected owners in the amount indicated on a schedule provided for that purpose. Upon consultation with Counsel, the Town Engineer is authorized to make non-substantive revisions to the Order and associated plan as may be needed to provide for their recording. Mr. Carrara seconded the motion. The Board voted 4 yes to 0 no to approve.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to adopt the Order of Taking for the Tosca Drive project in the form as presented and to award damages for the taking to the affected owners in the amount indicated on a schedule provided for that purpose. Upon consultation with Counsel, the Town Engineer is authorized to make non-substantive revisions to the Order and associated plan as may be needed to provide for their recording. Mr. Carrara seconded the motion. The Board voted 4 yes to 0 no to approve..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Accept a portion of the Park Street Sewer Project and to permit residents to tie-in
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to accept a portion of the Park Street Sewer Project and to permit residents to tie-in. Motion was seconded by Mr. Carrara. The vote was unanimous 4 yes and 0 no.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to accept a portion of the Park Street Sewer Project and to permit residents to tie-in. Motion was seconded by Mr. Carrara. The vote was unanimous 4 yes and 0 no..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Appoint Mr. Zoll
Mr. Cavey made the motion to appoint Mr. Zoll. The vote was 4 yes 0 no.
From the minutes
“Mr. Cavey made the motion to appoint Mr. Zoll. The vote was 4 yes 0 no..” (Motion: Cavey)
Appoint Ms. Aramide Olotu, vote was unanimous 4 yes 0 no
Mr. Cavey made the motion to appoint Ms. Aramide Olotu, vote was unanimous 4 yes 0 no.
From the minutes
“Mr. Cavey made the motion to appoint Ms. Aramide Olotu, vote was unanimous 4 yes 0 no..” (Motion: Cavey)
Nominate Mr. Murphy
Mr. Gitto nominated Mr. Murphy. Vice Chair Cavey noted Mr. Murphy's experience, and thanked him for willingness to volunteer. Vice Chair Cavey asked his philosophy relative to the connection between the Planning Board and the Zoning Board. Mr. Murphy responded that he has attended many meetings of the Planning Board and recommends staying within guidelines. He noted that he had expressed concern when there had been discussion to increase the height restriction for buildings in the Town square. Mr. Gitto commented that there are many projects to be considered by the Planning Board, and the task will not be easy. They Planning Board is going to be looking at, not only existing laws, but to a number of plans and zoning to create the laws that the Town is going to be dealing with, results of which will affect the Town for many years. Chairs Roberts added that she is happy Mr. Murphy applied, his background gives him a solid foundation to look at what the Town has today and will potentially have in the future. She believes he will do a good job. Mr. Murphy responded that being retired will give him the time to be involved. Mr. Carrara said it is important for new members to familiarize themselves with precedent, current practices, and the current manual. Town Manager Calter cautioned that in his previous position, many lawsuits result from overreach by committees and failure to remain within the guidelines and regulations. The Board voted 4 yes and 0 no to appoint Mr. Murphy.
From the minutes
“Mr. Gitto nominated Mr. Murphy. Vice Chair Cavey noted Mr. Murphy's experience, and thanked him for willingness to volunteer. Vice Chair Cavey asked his philosophy relative to the connection between the Planning Board and the Zoning Board. Mr. Murphy responded that he has attended many meetings of the Planning Board and recommends staying within guidelines. He noted that he had expressed concern when there had been discussion to increase the height restriction for buildings in the Town square. Mr. Gitto commented that there are many projects to be considered by the Planning Board, and the task will not be easy. They Planning Board is going to be looking at, not only existing laws, but to a number of plans and zoning to create the laws that the Town is going to be dealing with, results of which will affect the Town for many years. Chairs Roberts added that she is happy Mr. Murphy applied, his background gives him a solid foundation to look at what the Town has today and will potentially have in the future. She believes he will do a good job. Mr. Murphy responded that being retired will give him the time to be involved. Mr. Carrara said it is important for new members to familiarize themselves with precedent, current practices, and the current manual. Town Manager Calter cautioned that in his previous position, many lawsuits result from overreach by committees and failure to remain within the guidelines and regulations. The Board voted 4 yes and 0 no to appoint Mr. Murphy..” (Motion: Gitto)
Approve
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to approve, seconded by Mr. Gitto. The Board voted 3 yes 1 no. Mr. Carrara cast the dissenting vote.
Yes: Cavey, Gitto, RobertsNo: Carrara
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to approve, seconded by Mr. Gitto. The Board voted 3 yes 1 no. Mr. Carrara cast the dissenting vote..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Gitto)
Delay the purchase of the bulletin board sign
Mr. Gitto made the motion to delay the purchase of the bulletin board sign, seconded by Vice Chair Cavey. The vote was 4 yes to 0 no.
From the minutes
“Mr. Gitto made the motion to delay the purchase of the bulletin board sign, seconded by Vice Chair Cavey. The vote was 4 yes to 0 no..” (Motion: Gitto, second: Cavey)
Approve the transfers, with the exception of $34,807.50 from Civilian Dispatch Salaries to Facilities Expenses from the bulletin board sign
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to approve the transfers, with the exception of $34,807.50 from Civilian Dispatch Salaries to Facilities Expenses from the bulletin board sign. Motion seconded by Mr. Carrara. The Board voted 4 yes to 0 no to approve the increase in labor costs due to overruns.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to approve the transfers, with the exception of $34,807.50 from Civilian Dispatch Salaries to Facilities Expenses from the bulletin board sign. Motion seconded by Mr. Carrara. The Board voted 4 yes to 0 no to approve the increase in labor costs due to overruns..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Create an account for the Energy and Sustainability Committee
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to create an account for the Energy and Sustainability Committee, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion passed 4 yes to 0 no.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to create an account for the Energy and Sustainability Committee, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion passed 4 yes to 0 no..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Accept the donation from Abington Bank
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to accept the donation from Abington Bank, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion passed unanimously 4 yes and 0 no.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to accept the donation from Abington Bank, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion passed unanimously 4 yes and 0 no..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Approve the May 16, 2023 and May 30, 2023
Vice Cavey made the motion to approve the May 16, 2023 and May 30, 2023. Mr. Carrara seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 yes 0 no.
From the minutes
“Vice Cavey made the motion to approve the May 16, 2023 and May 30, 2023. Mr. Carrara seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 yes 0 no..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Adjourn
Motion from Vice Chair Cavey to adjourn. Motion seconded by Mr. Carrara. Motion passed 4 yes and o no.
From the minutes
“Motion from Vice Chair Cavey to adjourn. Motion seconded by Mr. Carrara. Motion passed 4 yes and o no..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
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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