MassVoter.com← Stow Select BoardStow Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
January 14, 2025
10 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: John Toole, Megan Birch-McMichael, Hector Constantzos
Absent: Ingeborg Hegemann, Cortni Frecha
Every vote, in order
Assign Jason Rogers to the position of Senior Detective for the Town of Stow Police Department through June 30, 2025
Mr. Constantzos moved to assign Jason Rogers to the position of Senior Detective for the Town of Stow Police Department through June 30, 2025. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion. Police Chief Michael Sallese, present in the Warren Room, said that the department has been without detectives for six months. Having expressed interest in the role, Officer Rogers completed the training needed to become a detective and has taken on fraud investigation cases. Rogers will be assigned to the role for six months and the Chief's goal is that Rogers will remain in the role permanently. Jason Rogers, present via Zoom, thanked everyone for the opportunity and looks forward to giving back to the community. Chair Toole called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Mr. Constantzos moved to assign Jason Rogers to the position of Senior Detective for the Town of Stow Police Department through June 30, 2025. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion. Police Chief Michael Sallese, present in the Warren Room, said that the department has been without detectives for six months. Having expressed interest in the role, Officer Rogers completed the training needed to become a detective and has taken on fraud investigation cases. Rogers will be assigned to the role for six months and the Chief's goal is that Rogers will remain in the role permanently. Jason Rogers, present via Zoom, thanked everyone for the opportunity and looks forward to giving back to the community. Chair Toole called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Constantzos, second: Birch-McMichael)
Appoint Shawn Marques as the Dispatch Supervisor for the Town of Stow Police Department effective January 23, 2025
Mr. Constantzos moved to appoint Shawn Marques as the Dispatch Supervisor for the Town of Stow Police Department effective January 23, 2025. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion. There will be an opening later this month for a Dispatch Supervisor. Mr. Marques has been with Stow for 5 years and has been a dispatcher for 14 years. He trains and mentors the new dispatchers and will move from the midnight shift to the day shift. He will also take classes to keep improving the system. Shawn Marques, present via Zoom, thanked everyone for the opportunity and hopes to exceed expectations and keep up the momentum of his predecessor Gabe Lopez, who made dispatch great. Chair Toole called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Mr. Constantzos moved to appoint Shawn Marques as the Dispatch Supervisor for the Town of Stow Police Department effective January 23, 2025. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion. There will be an opening later this month for a Dispatch Supervisor. Mr. Marques has been with Stow for 5 years and has been a dispatcher for 14 years. He trains and mentors the new dispatchers and will move from the midnight shift to the day shift. He will also take classes to keep improving the system. Shawn Marques, present via Zoom, thanked everyone for the opportunity and hopes to exceed expectations and keep up the momentum of his predecessor Gabe Lopez, who made dispatch great. Chair Toole called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Constantzos, second: Birch-McMichael)
Approve the updates to Police Policies & Procedures 1.18 to 1.27, 1.34, 1.37, 7.01-7.09 and 8.01-8.03 as provided by the Police Chief
Mr. Constantzos moved to approve the updates to Police Policies & Procedures 1.18 to 1.27, 1.34, 1.37, 7.01-7.09 and 8.01-8.03 as provided by the Police Chief. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion. Chief Sallese said they do need to change Town Manager to Town Administrator in the updates, but Chair Toole said it is not a substantive change and the motion can stand. Lt. Kellie Barhight, present in the Warren Room, has been going through and updating approximately 2400 standards to bring forward to the Board for approval. They are trying to combine policies as well as update language; some policies are from the 1970s and do not apply to law enforcement in 2025.The goal is to request certification in December and receive the certification by June 30, 2026. Chair Toole called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Mr. Constantzos moved to approve the updates to Police Policies & Procedures 1.18 to 1.27, 1.34, 1.37, 7.01-7.09 and 8.01-8.03 as provided by the Police Chief. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion. Chief Sallese said they do need to change Town Manager to Town Administrator in the updates, but Chair Toole said it is not a substantive change and the motion can stand. Lt. Kellie Barhight, present in the Warren Room, has been going through and updating approximately 2400 standards to bring forward to the Board for approval. They are trying to combine policies as well as update language; some policies are from the 1970s and do not apply to law enforcement in 2025.The goal is to request certification in December and receive the certification by June 30, 2026. Chair Toole called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Constantzos, second: Birch-McMichael)
The Annual Town Meeting be held on Saturday, May 10 at Center School, 403 Great Road
Mr. Constantzos moved that the Annual Town Meeting be held on Saturday, May 10 at Center School, 403 Great Road. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion. Ms. Dembkoski met with the Moderator, the Town Clerk, and the Planning Director about the timing of the Annual Town Meeting. The state's Section 3A Zoning Act, the MBTA Communities Act, requires a vote in 2025 and the Planning Board and Department need more time to be ready. ATM will remain in May with the expectation that there will be an additional town meeting in the fall. Chair Toole called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Mr. Constantzos moved that the Annual Town Meeting be held on Saturday, May 10 at Center School, 403 Great Road. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion. Ms. Dembkoski met with the Moderator, the Town Clerk, and the Planning Director about the timing of the Annual Town Meeting. The state's Section 3A Zoning Act, the MBTA Communities Act, requires a vote in 2025 and the Planning Board and Department need more time to be ready. ATM will remain in May with the expectation that there will be an additional town meeting in the fall. Chair Toole called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Constantzos, second: Birch-McMichael)
The Annual Town Election be held on Saturday, May 17 at Center School, 403 Great Road. This is for elected positions as certified by the Town Clerk's office
Mr. Constantzos moved that the Annual Town Election be held on Saturday, May 17 at Center School, 403 Great Road. This is for elected positions as certified by the Town Clerk's office. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Mr. Constantzos moved that the Annual Town Election be held on Saturday, May 17 at Center School, 403 Great Road. This is for elected positions as certified by the Town Clerk's office. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Constantzos, second: Birch-McMichael)
Open the 2025 Annual Town Meeting warrant on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, and close the warrant on Friday, March 28, 2025
Mr. Constantzos moved that the Board open the 2025 Annual Town Meeting warrant on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, and close the warrant on Friday, March 28, 2025. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Mr. Constantzos moved that the Board open the 2025 Annual Town Meeting warrant on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, and close the warrant on Friday, March 28, 2025. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Constantzos, second: Birch-McMichael)
Sign a letter of support to the State Delegation for private well owners in Stow to be included in the Environmental Bond Bill for PFAS remediation
Mr. Constantzos moved to sign a letter of support to the State Delegation for private well owners in Stow to be included in the Environmental Bond Bill for PFAS remediation. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion. Chair Toole had a conversation with Sen. Jamie Eldridge, and the senator recommended that the Board send in a letter. Chair Toole asked the Town Administrator to draft a letter for the agenda requesting support of funding for private well owners regarding PFAS. Discussion ensued about the dead bill mentioned in the letter (Bill H.4486), the upcoming Environmental Bond Bill, and the need for more information. The letter asks if there is a possibility of securing funding and asks about options. Chair Toole called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Mr. Constantzos moved to sign a letter of support to the State Delegation for private well owners in Stow to be included in the Environmental Bond Bill for PFAS remediation. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion. Chair Toole had a conversation with Sen. Jamie Eldridge, and the senator recommended that the Board send in a letter. Chair Toole asked the Town Administrator to draft a letter for the agenda requesting support of funding for private well owners regarding PFAS. Discussion ensued about the dead bill mentioned in the letter (Bill H.4486), the upcoming Environmental Bond Bill, and the need for more information. The letter asks if there is a possibility of securing funding and asks about options. Chair Toole called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Constantzos, second: Birch-McMichael)
Authorize and sign the Bond Anticipation Note Renewal (for PFAS), as presented at this meeting
Mr. Constantzos moved to authorize and sign the Bond Anticipation Note Renewal (for PFAS), as presented at this meeting. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Mr. Constantzos moved to authorize and sign the Bond Anticipation Note Renewal (for PFAS), as presented at this meeting. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Constantzos, second: Birch-McMichael)
Accept the meeting minutes of the December 10, 2024 meeting
Mr. Constantzos moved to accept the meeting minutes of the December 10, 2024 meeting. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Mr. Constantzos moved to accept the meeting minutes of the December 10, 2024 meeting. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Constantzos, second: Birch-McMichael)
Adjourn
Mr. Constantzos moved to adjourn. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Mr. Constantzos moved to adjourn. Ms. Birch-McMichael seconded the motion and it passed unanimously..” (Motion: Constantzos, 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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