MassVoter.com← Stow Select BoardStow Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
February 11, 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, Ingeborg Hegemann, Megan Birch-McMichael, Hector Constantzos, Cortni Frecha
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Appoint Barry Evers to the position of fire chief, emergency management officer, and forest warden for the town of Stow through 06/30/2028
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to appoint Barry Evers to the position of fire chief, emergency management officer, and forest warden for the town of Stow through 06/30/2028. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. Denise Dembkoski, the Town Administrator, expressed her support for Barry Evers' appointment, citing his tremendous growth in the interim role over the past six months and his 25 years of experience with the community. She highlighted improvements in morale, team building, and her anticipation for future department growth under his leadership. Board members shared their thoughts: Hector Constantzos expressed looking forward to the appointment. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark appreciated Evers' positive contributions to difficult situations. JT Toole commended Evers' dedication, perseverance, willingness to advance, and humbleness. Megan Birch-McMichael mentioned looking forward to having the standards manual finalized. Barry Evers expressed gratitude and emphasized the importance of the men and women of the Stow fire department, describing them as his heroes. He highlighted their sacrifices and dedication to serving the community. Evers expressed his hope to continue providing the department with necessary tools, knowledge, and equipment to perform their jobs safely. Linda Hathaway noted that Barry Evers was born and raised in Stow, although he currently doesn't live in town. Evers confirmed this, mentioning his grandfather had served in the police department. The board conducted a roll call vote, which was unanimous in favor of the appointment.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to appoint Barry Evers to the position of fire chief, emergency management officer, and forest warden for the town of Stow through 06/30/2028. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. Denise Dembkoski, the Town Administrator, expressed her support for Barry Evers' appointment, citing his tremendous growth in the interim role over the past six months and his 25 years of experience with the community. She highlighted improvements in morale, team building, and her anticipation for future department growth under his leadership. Board members shared their thoughts: Hector Constantzos expressed looking forward to the appointment. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark appreciated Evers' positive contributions to difficult situations. JT Toole commended Evers' dedication, perseverance, willingness to advance, and humbleness. Megan Birch-McMichael mentioned looking forward to having the standards manual finalized. Barry Evers expressed gratitude and emphasized the importance of the men and women of the Stow fire department, describing them as his heroes. He highlighted their sacrifices and dedication to serving the community. Evers expressed his hope to continue providing the department with necessary tools, knowledge, and equipment to perform their jobs safely. Linda Hathaway noted that Barry Evers was born and raised in Stow, although he currently doesn't live in town. Evers confirmed this, mentioning his grandfather had served in the police department. The board conducted a roll call vote, which was unanimous in favor of the appointment..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Constantzos)
The public hearing for installation of two utility poles at Number 135 and Number 151 Gleasondale Road be open
Megan Birch-McMichael moved that the public hearing for installation of two utility poles at Number 135 and Number 151 Gleasondale Road be open. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The chair conducted a roll call vote to open the public hearing, which was unanimous.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved that the public hearing for installation of two utility poles at Number 135 and Number 151 Gleasondale Road be open. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The chair conducted a roll call vote to open the public hearing, which was unanimous..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Constantzos)
The public hearing for installation of two utility poles at 135 and 151 Gleasondale Road be closed
Megan Birch-McMichael moved that the public hearing for installation of two utility poles at 135 and 151 Gleasondale Road be closed. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The chair conducted a roll call vote to close the public hearing, which was unanimous.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved that the public hearing for installation of two utility poles at 135 and 151 Gleasondale Road be closed. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The chair conducted a roll call vote to close the public hearing, which was unanimous..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Constantzos)
Approve and sign the application by Hudson Light and Power to install two utility poles at 135 And 151 Gleasondale Road as indicated in the petition for pole locations received by the select board...
Megan Birch-McMichael moved that the board approve and sign the application by Hudson Light and Power to install two utility poles at 135 And 151 Gleasondale Road as indicated in the petition for pole locations received by the select board office, January 22, 2025. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The chair conducted a roll call vote, which was unanimous in favor of approving the application.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved that the board approve and sign the application by Hudson Light and Power to install two utility poles at 135 And 151 Gleasondale Road as indicated in the petition for pole locations received by the select board office, January 22, 2025. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The chair conducted a roll call vote, which was unanimous in favor of approving the application..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Constantzos)
Ratify the employment contract for fire chief Barry Evers
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to ratify the employment contract for fire chief Barry Evers. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The board voted unanimously to ratify the contract.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to ratify the employment contract for fire chief Barry Evers. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The board voted unanimously to ratify the contract..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Constantzos)
Approve the following slate of candidates on the ballot for the 2025 annual town election scheduled for Saturday, 05/17/2025: Board of Health, one, three year term; Nashoba Regional School...
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to approve the following slate of candidates on the ballot for the 2025 annual town election scheduled for Saturday, 05/17/2025: Board of Health, one, three year term; Nashoba Regional School Committee, one, three year term; Planning Board, one, five year term; Randall Library Trustees, three, three year terms; Select Board, two, three year terms; Stow Housing Authority, one, five year term; Moderator, one, three year term. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The board voted unanimously to approve the slate of candidates.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to approve the following slate of candidates on the ballot for the 2025 annual town election scheduled for Saturday, 05/17/2025: Board of Health, one, three year term; Nashoba Regional School Committee, one, three year term; Planning Board, one, five year term; Randall Library Trustees, three, three year terms; Select Board, two, three year terms; Stow Housing Authority, one, five year term; Moderator, one, three year term. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The board voted unanimously to approve the slate of candidates..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Constantzos)
Approve the polling hours of 10AM to 4PM for the 2025 annual town election scheduled for Saturday, 05/17/2025
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to approve the polling hours of 10AM to 4PM for the 2025 annual town election scheduled for Saturday, 05/17/2025. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The board voted unanimously to approve the polling hours.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to approve the polling hours of 10AM to 4PM for the 2025 annual town election scheduled for Saturday, 05/17/2025. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The board voted unanimously to approve the polling hours..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Constantzos)
Approve the Select Board 2024 annual report as drafted
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to approve the Select Board 2024 annual report as drafted. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The board discussed minor changes to the report, including clarifications on language and formatting. They praised the work of Phoebe in her compilation of the materials and the thorough report. They voted unanimously to approve the report.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to approve the Select Board 2024 annual report as drafted. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The board discussed minor changes to the report, including clarifications on language and formatting. They praised the work of Phoebe in her compilation of the materials and the thorough report. They voted unanimously to approve the report..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Constantzos)
Accept the meeting minutes of the 01/28/2025 meeting
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to accept the meeting minutes of the 01/28/2025 meeting. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The board discussed the format of the minutes, particularly regarding the use of names and titles. They decided to maintain the current format for the time being, with the intention to discuss potential changes at a future meeting. The minutes were unanimously approved with minor adjustments to the attendance list.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to accept the meeting minutes of the 01/28/2025 meeting. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The board discussed the format of the minutes, particularly regarding the use of names and titles. They decided to maintain the current format for the time being, with the intention to discuss potential changes at a future meeting. The minutes were unanimously approved with minor adjustments to the attendance list..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Constantzos)
Adjourn
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to adjourn at 8:44pm. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to adjourn at 8:44pm. The motion was seconded by Hector Constantzos. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Constantzos)
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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