MassVoter.com← Stow Select BoardStow Select Board · 2021–2022 Board · Regular meeting
November 9, 2021
18 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Note on these minutes: James Salvie took part remotely.
Present: Ellen Sturgis, Megan Birch-McMichael, Zack Burns, James Salvie
Absent: Cortni Frecha
Every vote, in order
Appoint John Paul "JP" Benoit to the position of Fire Chief, Emergency Management Officer and Forest Warden through June 30, 2024, contingent upon successful contract negotiations
Board member Burns moved to appoint John Paul "JP" Benoit to the position of Fire Chief, Emergency Management Officer and Forest Warden through June 30, 2024, contingent upon successful contract negotiations. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved to appoint John Paul "JP" Benoit to the position of Fire Chief, Emergency Management Officer and Forest Warden through June 30, 2024, contingent upon successful contract negotiations. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Appoint Stephen Laaper to the position of Call Firefighter/EMT to the Stow Fire Department through June 30, 2022
Board member Burns moved to appoint Stephen Laaper to the position of Call Firefighter/EMT to the Stow Fire Department through June 30, 2022. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved to appoint Stephen Laaper to the position of Call Firefighter/EMT to the Stow Fire Department through June 30, 2022. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Appoint John Kennedy to the position of Call Firefighter/EMT to the Stow Fire Department through June 30, 2022
Board member Burns moved to appoint John Kennedy to the position of Call Firefighter/EMT to the Stow Fire Department through June 30, 2022. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved to appoint John Kennedy to the position of Call Firefighter/EMT to the Stow Fire Department through June 30, 2022. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Open the Tax Classification Public Hearing
Board member Burns moved to open the Tax Classification Public Hearing. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by a roll call vote: Salvie -aye, Burns -aye, Birch-McMichael -aye, Sturgis -aye.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved to open the Tax Classification Public Hearing. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by a roll call vote: Salvie -aye, Burns -aye, Birch-McMichael -aye, Sturgis -aye..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Close the Tax Classification Public Hearing
Board member Burns moved to close the Tax Classification Public Hearing. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by a roll call vote: Salvie -aye, Burns -aye, Birch-McMichael -aye, Sturgis -aye.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved to close the Tax Classification Public Hearing. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by a roll call vote: Salvie -aye, Burns -aye, Birch-McMichael -aye, Sturgis -aye..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
The Town of Stow adopt a minimum residential factor of 1, to keep a single tax rate for fiscal year 2022, taxing all property classes at one rate
Board member Burns moved that the Town of Stow adopt a minimum residential factor of 1, to keep a single tax rate for fiscal year 2022, taxing all property classes at one rate. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved that the Town of Stow adopt a minimum residential factor of 1, to keep a single tax rate for fiscal year 2022, taxing all property classes at one rate. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Accept the meeting minutes of the October 26, 2021 meeting with amendments, specifically after the sentence "Board member Salvie expressed his dislike for the process but saying he will vote for...
Board member Burns moved to accept the meeting minutes of the October 26, 2021 meeting with amendments, specifically after the sentence "Board member Salvie expressed his dislike for the process but saying he will vote for it" to add in "because of its de minimis value." Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved to accept the meeting minutes of the October 26, 2021 meeting with amendments, specifically after the sentence "Board member Salvie expressed his dislike for the process but saying he will vote for it" to add in "because of its de minimis value." Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Open the Pole Petitions Public Hearing
Board member Burns moved to open the Pole Petitions Public Hearing. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by a roll call vote: Salvie -aye, Burns -aye, Birch-McMichael -aye, Sturgis -aye.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved to open the Pole Petitions Public Hearing. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by a roll call vote: Salvie -aye, Burns -aye, Birch-McMichael -aye, Sturgis -aye..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
The Public Hearing for installations of poles at Great Road and Hiley Brook Road be closed
Board member Burns moved that the Public Hearing for installations of poles at Great Road and Hiley Brook Road be closed. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by a roll call vote: Salvie -aye, Burns -aye, Birch-McMichael -aye, Sturgis -aye.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved that the Public Hearing for installations of poles at Great Road and Hiley Brook Road be closed. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by a roll call vote: Salvie -aye, Burns -aye, Birch-McMichael -aye, Sturgis -aye..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Approve and sign the applications by Hudson Light & Power to install new poles at Great Road and at Hiley Brook Road as indicated in the Order for Joint or Identical Pole Location for each site...
Board member Burns moved that the Board approve and sign the applications by Hudson Light & Power to install new poles at Great Road and at Hiley Brook Road as indicated in the Order for Joint or Identical Pole Location for each site, received by the Select Board office October 28, 2021, conditioned that the application is not inconsistent with the site plans at either 38 or 41 Hiley Brook Road. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved that the Board approve and sign the applications by Hudson Light & Power to install new poles at Great Road and at Hiley Brook Road as indicated in the Order for Joint or Identical Pole Location for each site, received by the Select Board office October 28, 2021, conditioned that the application is not inconsistent with the site plans at either 38 or 41 Hiley Brook Road. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Vote to accept donations on behalf of the Hallock Point purchase, specifically: $33,255 from Stow Conservation Trust, with $10,000 going toward the land stewardship and $22,255 toward the purchase...
Board member Burns moved that the Select Board vote to accept donations on behalf of the Hallock Point purchase, specifically: $33,255 from Stow Conservation Trust, with $10,000 going toward the land stewardship and $22,255 toward the purchase of the property, and up to $80,000 from the Lake Boon Association for the purchase of the property and to cover legal expenses. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved that the Select Board vote to accept donations on behalf of the Hallock Point purchase, specifically: $33,255 from Stow Conservation Trust, with $10,000 going toward the land stewardship and $22,255 toward the purchase of the property, and up to $80,000 from the Lake Boon Association for the purchase of the property and to cover legal expenses. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Approve the U and T Visa Certification Policy 9.02, as presented by Chief Michael Sallese
Board member Burns moved that the Select Board approve the U and T Visa Certification Policy 9.02, as presented by Chief Michael Sallese. Select Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved that the Select Board approve the U and T Visa Certification Policy 9.02, as presented by Chief Michael Sallese. Select Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Approve the Reporting Abuse, Excessive Force, or Misconduct by Law Enforcement Personnel Policy 9.03, as presented by Chief Michael Sallese, with one modification under Section 5 (V). A. 3, Chief...
Board member Burns moved that the Select Board approve the Reporting Abuse, Excessive Force, or Misconduct by Law Enforcement Personnel Policy 9.03, as presented by Chief Michael Sallese, with one modification under Section 5 (V). A. 3, Chief Executive Officer shall be replaced by Town Administrator. Board member Birch- McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved that the Select Board approve the Reporting Abuse, Excessive Force, or Misconduct by Law Enforcement Personnel Policy 9.03, as presented by Chief Michael Sallese, with one modification under Section 5 (V). A. 3, Chief Executive Officer shall be replaced by Town Administrator. Board member Birch- McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Vote to approve the Personnel Records Law Policy, as presented by Assistant Town Administrator/HR Director Dolores Hamilton including the additional language as presented by Ms. Hamilton
Board member Burns moved that the Select Board vote to approve the Personnel Records Law Policy, as presented by Assistant Town Administrator/HR Director Dolores Hamilton including the additional language as presented by Ms. Hamilton. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved that the Select Board vote to approve the Personnel Records Law Policy, as presented by Assistant Town Administrator/HR Director Dolores Hamilton including the additional language as presented by Ms. Hamilton. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Vote to approve the Domestic Violence Leave Policy, as presented by Assistant Town Administrator/HR Director Dolores Hamilton with such scrivener's error being fixed
Board member Burns moved that the Select Board vote to approve the Domestic Violence Leave Policy, as presented by Assistant Town Administrator/HR Director Dolores Hamilton with such scrivener's error being fixed. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved that the Select Board vote to approve the Domestic Violence Leave Policy, as presented by Assistant Town Administrator/HR Director Dolores Hamilton with such scrivener's error being fixed. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Approve the Personnel Request Policy & Form Policy, as presented by Assistant Town Administrator/HR Director Dolores Hamilton with a modification to remove "and appointed" from the Applicability...
Board member Burns moved that the Select Board approve the Personnel Request Policy & Form Policy, as presented by Assistant Town Administrator/HR Director Dolores Hamilton with a modification to remove "and appointed" from the Applicability section of the policy. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved that the Select Board approve the Personnel Request Policy & Form Policy, as presented by Assistant Town Administrator/HR Director Dolores Hamilton with a modification to remove "and appointed" from the Applicability section of the policy. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Vote to approve the letter of support for SEHC for the Plantation II project and authorize the Chair to sign it
Board member Burns moved that the Select Board vote to approve the letter of support for SEHC for the Plantation II project and authorize the Chair to sign it. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed 3-0.
Yes: Birch-McMichael, Burns, SturgisJames Salvie recused himself from this discussion and vote, so James Salvie is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved that the Select Board vote to approve the letter of support for SEHC for the Plantation II project and authorize the Chair to sign it. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed 3-0..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
Adjourn
Board member Burns moved to adjourn. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Board member Burns moved to adjourn. Board member Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burns, second: Birch-McMichael)
From the Stow Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Document Center (Agendas/Minutes > Minutes > Select Board, 2014–2024) and Agenda Center (Select Board, 2025 on). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Select Board photos): Stow TV meeting videos — Hector Constantzos (May 2026), JT Toole (July 2026) and Ingeborg Hegemann (August 2026); Stow TV and The Stow Independent Candidates Night — Dan Petersen (May 2025). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
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