MassVoter.com← Stoughton Select BoardStoughton Select Board · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
November 30, 2023
5 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Debra Roberts, Stephen Cavey, Joseph Mokrisky, Scott Carrara, Louis Gitto
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Approve
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to approve, seconded by Mr. Mokrisky. The Board voted 4 yes 1 abstention.
The minutes give only the count (4-0-1), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to approve, seconded by Mr. Mokrisky. The Board voted 4 yes 1 abstention..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Mokrisky)
Appoint Ms. Elizabeth Zaleski to the position of financial director
Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to appoint Ms. Elizabeth Zaleski to the position of financial director. Mr. Gitto seconded the motion. Mr. Gitto said it is important to understand the tenure of this appointment. He said financial directors should be interested in the vision for the Town. Town Manager Calter clarified that he expected this appointee to do financial management and to oversee the finances of the Town. The Town is now in very good shape now. $5,000,000 of deficit has been eradicated and the Town has received $1,000,000 from the centralization of 911. Ms. Pam McCarthy has obtained $30,000 to hire for a calling center. The town now has a qualified CPA. Ms. Mary Jane Martin will move to auditing. Town Manager Calter hopes the budget increase will only be 50% of previous years. The Town can now invest in new areas as suggested by board members. The number of FTE's may decrease by 10 people. Due to a reserve increase, a bond upgrade may occur. A bond upgrade will impact financing for South School. Chair Roberts said her goal was to fill Mr. Rowe's position with a candidate who is knowledgeable about Chapter 90. Ms. Zaleski has the ability to institute training and can begin to eliminate silos of operation. Mr. Mokrisky commented that the Town now has the best staff of his tenure in Town government. He was impressed with Ms. Zaleski's experience and perceived ability to work with current staff and approved the appointment of Ms. Zaleski. On the motion to offer the positio
From the minutes
“Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to appoint Ms. Elizabeth Zaleski to the position of financial director. Mr. Gitto seconded the motion. Mr. Gitto said it is important to understand the tenure of this appointment. He said financial directors should be interested in the vision for the Town. Town Manager Calter clarified that he expected this appointee to do financial management and to oversee the finances of the Town. The Town is now in very good shape now. $5,000,000 of deficit has been eradicated and the Town has received $1,000,000 from the centralization of 911. Ms. Pam McCarthy has obtained $30,000 to hire for a calling center. The town now has a qualified CPA. Ms. Mary Jane Martin will move to auditing. Town Manager Calter hopes the budget increase will only be 50% of previous years. The Town can now invest in new areas as suggested by board members. The number of FTE's may decrease by 10 people. Due to a reserve increase, a bond upgrade may occur. A bond upgrade will impact financing for South School. Chair Roberts said her goal was to fill Mr. Rowe's position with a candidate who is knowledgeable about Chapter 90. Ms. Zaleski has the ability to institute training and can begin to eliminate silos of operation. Mr. Mokrisky commented that the Town now has the best staff of his tenure in Town government. He was impressed with Ms. Zaleski's experience and perceived ability to work with current staff and approved the appointment of Ms. Zaleski. On the motion to offer the position of Town Accountant per the Town Charter, the Board voted 5 yes 0 no,.” (Motion: Mokrisky, second: Gitto)
Authorize the Town Manager to negotiate the salary for the financial director according to the range advertised
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to authorize the Town Manager to negotiate the salary for the financial director according to the range advertised. Mr. Gitto seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 yes 0 no.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to authorize the Town Manager to negotiate the salary for the financial director according to the range advertised. Mr. Gitto seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 yes 0 no..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Gitto)
(the minutes do not state the motion)
The amended motion passed 5 yes 0 no.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“The amended motion passed 5 yes 0 no..”
Adjourn
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion passed 5 yes 0 no.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion passed 5 yes 0 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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