MassVoter.com← Stow Select BoardStow Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
February 25, 2025
12 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, Hector Constantzos, Cortni Frecha
Absent: Megan Birch-McMichael
Every vote, in order
Approve and sign a certificate for Anne Torda, who at the age of 101 is Stow's oldest resident. She will be honored with the ceremonial Boston Post cane in a ceremony on Friday, February 28th
Cortni Frecha moved to approve and sign a certificate for Anne Torda, who at the age of 101 is Stow's oldest resident. She will be honored with the ceremonial Boston Post cane in a ceremony on Friday, February 28th. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The Board unanimously approved the motion.
From the minutes
“Cortni Frecha moved to approve and sign a certificate for Anne Torda, who at the age of 101 is Stow's oldest resident. She will be honored with the ceremonial Boston Post cane in a ceremony on Friday, February 28th. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The Board unanimously approved the motion..” (Motion: Frecha, second: Constantzos)
Appoint Maria McFarland to the Agricultural Commission for the remainder of a three-year term ending 06/30/2027
Cortni Frecha moved to appoint Maria McFarland to the Agricultural Commission for the remainder of a three-year term ending 06/30/2027. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The Board discussed the appointment, with Cortni Frecha expressing appreciation and enthusiasm for the renewed activity in the Agricultural Commission after years of inactivity. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Cortni Frecha moved to appoint Maria McFarland to the Agricultural Commission for the remainder of a three-year term ending 06/30/2027. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The Board discussed the appointment, with Cortni Frecha expressing appreciation and enthusiasm for the renewed activity in the Agricultural Commission after years of inactivity. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Frecha, second: Constantzos)
Appoint Brooke Konecny to the Recreation Commission through 06/30/2025
Cortni Frecha moved to appoint Brooke Konecny to the Recreation Commission through 06/30/2025. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. Brooke Konecny was present at the meeting. The Board thanked her for her initiative in joining the commission. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Cortni Frecha moved to appoint Brooke Konecny to the Recreation Commission through 06/30/2025. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. Brooke Konecny was present at the meeting. The Board thanked her for her initiative in joining the commission. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Frecha, second: Constantzos)
Appoint Marcy Eckel to the position of trustee for the Hale High School Trust Fund. This appointment carries a lifetime tenure
Cortni Frecha moved to appoint Marcy Eckel to the position of trustee for the Hale High School Trust Fund. This appointment carries a lifetime tenure. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The Board discussed gratitude for Marcy's continued involvement with the town in various capacities, including her new role that benefits the library. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Cortni Frecha moved to appoint Marcy Eckel to the position of trustee for the Hale High School Trust Fund. This appointment carries a lifetime tenure. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The Board discussed gratitude for Marcy's continued involvement with the town in various capacities, including her new role that benefits the library. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Frecha, second: Constantzos)
Appoint Marcy Eckel to the Cultural Council for the remainder of a three-year term ending 06/30/2026
Cortni Frecha moved to appoint Marcy Eckel to the Cultural Council for the remainder of a three-year term ending 06/30/2026. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously without further discussion.
From the minutes
“Cortni Frecha moved to appoint Marcy Eckel to the Cultural Council for the remainder of a three-year term ending 06/30/2026. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously without further discussion..” (Motion: Frecha, second: Constantzos)
Permit Jennifer Henderson and other volunteers to use the Lower Common on Saturday, 04/26/2025 between 8 AM and 12 Noon to distribute trash collection bags and protective gear for the annual Stow...
Cortni Frecha moved to permit Jennifer Henderson and other volunteers to use the Lower Common on Saturday, 04/26/2025 between 8 AM and 12 Noon to distribute trash collection bags and protective gear for the annual Stow Town Cleanup. There will be no removal of invasive plants, and all participants will need to sign releases that will be returned to the Town by Monday, April 28. Cortni also moved to waive the requirement of an insurance certificate. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The Select Board discussed the event, expressing gratitude to Jennifer for organizing it. They noted that waiving the insurance requirement was consistent with past practice for this event. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Cortni Frecha moved to permit Jennifer Henderson and other volunteers to use the Lower Common on Saturday, 04/26/2025 between 8 AM and 12 Noon to distribute trash collection bags and protective gear for the annual Stow Town Cleanup. There will be no removal of invasive plants, and all participants will need to sign releases that will be returned to the Town by Monday, April 28. Cortni also moved to waive the requirement of an insurance certificate. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The Select Board discussed the event, expressing gratitude to Jennifer for organizing it. They noted that waiving the insurance requirement was consistent with past practice for this event. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Frecha, second: Constantzos)
Approve the updates to police policies and procedures 1.28 through 1.39 as provided by the Police Chief
Cortni Frecha moved to approve the updates to police policies and procedures 1.28 through 1.39 as provided by the Police Chief. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Cortni Frecha moved to approve the updates to police policies and procedures 1.28 through 1.39 as provided by the Police Chief. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Frecha, second: Constantzos)
Readopt police policies and procedures 2.01 through 2.05, 2.07 through 2.09, 2.13 through 2.15, and 2.19 as provided by the Police Chief
Cortni Frecha moved to readopt police policies and procedures 2.01 through 2.05, 2.07 through 2.09, 2.13 through 2.15, and 2.19 as provided by the Police Chief. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Cortni Frecha moved to readopt police policies and procedures 2.01 through 2.05, 2.07 through 2.09, 2.13 through 2.15, and 2.19 as provided by the Police Chief. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Frecha, second: Constantzos)
Section 31D, to allow deficit spending of fiscal year 2025 snow and ice account
Cortni Frecha moved, pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 44, section 31D, to allow deficit spending of fiscal year 2025 snow and ice account. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The Select Board noted that this winter had been particularly challenging due to ice and rain, which required additional resources for road treatment and maintenance. They discussed that this request for deficit spending is a standard procedure during tough winters and commended the Highway Department for their effective road maintenance during recent storms. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Cortni Frecha moved, pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 44, section 31D, to allow deficit spending of fiscal year 2025 snow and ice account. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The Select Board noted that this winter had been particularly challenging due to ice and rain, which required additional resources for road treatment and maintenance. They discussed that this request for deficit spending is a standard procedure during tough winters and commended the Highway Department for their effective road maintenance during recent storms. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Frecha, second: Constantzos)
Approve and sign a letter of support for the Central Mass Rail Trail project
Cortni Frecha moved to approve and sign a letter of support for the Central Mass Rail Trail project. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The Board discussed the project, which involves a 300-foot section in Stow between Chestnut Street and Wilkins Street. Cortni Frecha explained that this was part of an Eversource easement for a utility line, with plans to put a bike trail on top of it. The Board expressed support for the project as part of a larger trail system potentially connecting Boston to Northampton. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Cortni Frecha moved to approve and sign a letter of support for the Central Mass Rail Trail project. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The Board discussed the project, which involves a 300-foot section in Stow between Chestnut Street and Wilkins Street. Cortni Frecha explained that this was part of an Eversource easement for a utility line, with plans to put a bike trail on top of it. The Board expressed support for the project as part of a larger trail system potentially connecting Boston to Northampton. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Frecha, second: Constantzos)
Accept the minutes of the 02/11/2025 meeting as written
Cortni Frecha moved to accept the minutes of the 02/11/2025 meeting as written. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. Hector Constantzos noted a misspelling of Cortni's name in one section of the minutes. The Board discussed the use of AI in generating the minutes, with Erin Mulcahy confirming that they were mostly AI-generated with some manual adjustments. The motion to accept the minutes passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Cortni Frecha moved to accept the minutes of the 02/11/2025 meeting as written. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. Hector Constantzos noted a misspelling of Cortni's name in one section of the minutes. The Board discussed the use of AI in generating the minutes, with Erin Mulcahy confirming that they were mostly AI-generated with some manual adjustments. The motion to accept the minutes passed unanimously..” (Motion: Frecha, second: Constantzos)
Adjourn
Cortni Frecha moved to adjourn at 8:20pm. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, and JT Toole thanked everyone for attending, looking forward to the next meeting in two weeks, and the meeting adjourned.
From the minutes
“Cortni Frecha moved to adjourn at 8:20pm. Hector Constantzos seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, and JT Toole thanked everyone for attending, looking forward to the next meeting in two weeks, and the meeting adjourned..” (Motion: Frecha, 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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