MassVoter.com← Stow Select BoardStow Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
March 11, 2025
11 recorded votes, 1 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, Ingeborg Hegemann, Hector Constantzos, Cortni Frecha
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Appoint Robert Nelson as a police sergeant for the Town of Stow Police Department through 06/30/2025. He will be the senior of the two sergeants appointed at this meeting
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to appoint Robert Nelson as a police sergeant for the Town of Stow Police Department through 06/30/2025. He will be the senior of the two sergeants appointed at this meeting. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. Chief Sallese described the rigorous selection process, including essay questions, interviews with community members and other police chiefs, and final interviews with command staff and town administration. He praised Nelson's 14 years of service, leadership as acting sergeant, and roles as evidence officer and field training officer. Robert Nelson expressed appreciation for the opportunity and looked forward to the permanent role. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to appoint Robert Nelson as a police sergeant for the Town of Stow Police Department through 06/30/2025. He will be the senior of the two sergeants appointed at this meeting. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. Chief Sallese described the rigorous selection process, including essay questions, interviews with community members and other police chiefs, and final interviews with command staff and town administration. He praised Nelson's 14 years of service, leadership as acting sergeant, and roles as evidence officer and field training officer. Robert Nelson expressed appreciation for the opportunity and looked forward to the permanent role. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Frecha)
Appoint Josh Barrier as a police sergeant for the Town of Stow Police Department through 06/30/2025
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to appoint Josh Barrier as a police sergeant for the Town of Stow Police Department through 06/30/2025. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. Chief Sallese highlighted Barriere's extensive experience, including 12 years as sergeant and 6 years as lieutenant in his previous department. He noted Barriere's quiet but impactful presence and confidence in his abilities. Josh Barriere expressed appreciation for the opportunity after only six months with the department and looked forward to the new role. Board members thanked Chief Sallese for his work in strengthening the police force. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to appoint Josh Barrier as a police sergeant for the Town of Stow Police Department through 06/30/2025. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. Chief Sallese highlighted Barriere's extensive experience, including 12 years as sergeant and 6 years as lieutenant in his previous department. He noted Barriere's quiet but impactful presence and confidence in his abilities. Josh Barriere expressed appreciation for the opportunity after only six months with the department and looked forward to the new role. Board members thanked Chief Sallese for his work in strengthening the police force. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Frecha)
Approve the following updated slate of candidates on the ballot for the 2025 Annual Town Election scheduled for Saturday, 05/17/2025: Board of Health - One 3-Year Term, Nashoba Regional School...
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to approve the following updated slate of candidates on the ballot for the 2025 Annual Town Election scheduled for Saturday, 05/17/2025: Board of Health - One 3-Year Term, Nashoba Regional School Committee - One 3- Year Term, Nashoba Regional School Committee - One 3-Year Unexpired Term ending in 2026, Planning Board - One 5-Year Term, Trustee Randall Library - Three 3-Year Terms, Select Board - Two 3-Year Terms, Stow Housing Authority - One 5-Year Term, Moderator - One 3-Year Term. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The Board discussed that this update added the unexpired school committee term to the ballot. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to approve the following updated slate of candidates on the ballot for the 2025 Annual Town Election scheduled for Saturday, 05/17/2025: Board of Health - One 3-Year Term, Nashoba Regional School Committee - One 3- Year Term, Nashoba Regional School Committee - One 3-Year Unexpired Term ending in 2026, Planning Board - One 5-Year Term, Trustee Randall Library - Three 3-Year Terms, Select Board - Two 3-Year Terms, Stow Housing Authority - One 5-Year Term, Moderator - One 3-Year Term. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The Board discussed that this update added the unexpired school committee term to the ballot. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Frecha)
Opt in to vote by mail in Stow for the 2025 Annual Town Election
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to opt in to vote by mail in Stow for the 2025 Annual Town Election. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to opt in to vote by mail in Stow for the 2025 Annual Town Election. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Frecha)
Ratify the fiscal year 2026 to fiscal year 2028 Stow Dispatcher Unit Local 206A collective bargaining agreement as presented at this meeting and further authorize the Town Administrator to sign on...
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to ratify the fiscal year 2026 to fiscal year 2028 Stow Dispatcher Unit Local 206A collective bargaining agreement as presented at this meeting and further authorize the Town Administrator to sign on the town's behalf. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. Denise Dembkoski explained that this contract updates language that had not been revised since 2019. It covers four full-time dispatchers and includes updated union language in addition to cost of living adjustments. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to ratify the fiscal year 2026 to fiscal year 2028 Stow Dispatcher Unit Local 206A collective bargaining agreement as presented at this meeting and further authorize the Town Administrator to sign on the town's behalf. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. Denise Dembkoski explained that this contract updates language that had not been revised since 2019. It covers four full-time dispatchers and includes updated union language in addition to cost of living adjustments. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Frecha)
Reaffirm the anti-hate statement from 05/09/2023
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to reaffirm the anti-hate statement from 05/09/2023. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The Board discussed adding "immigration status" to the list of protected characteristics in the statement. The Chair called for a vote on the initial motion, the motion failed on a 0-5 vote.
No: Birch-McMichael, Constantzos, Frecha, Hegemann, Toole
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to reaffirm the anti-hate statement from 05/09/2023. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The Board discussed adding "immigration status" to the list of protected characteristics in the statement. The Chair called for a vote on the initial motion, the motion failed on a 0-5 vote..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Frecha)
Amend the anti-hate statement as discussed at this meeting
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to amend the anti-hate statement as discussed at this meeting. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to amend the anti-hate statement as discussed at this meeting. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Frecha)
Reaffirm the working definition of antisemitism from 05/09/2023
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to reaffirm the working definition of antisemitism from 05/09/2023. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with no further discussion.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to reaffirm the working definition of antisemitism from 05/09/2023. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with no further discussion..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Frecha)
Reaffirm the anti-racism statement from 09/26/2023
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to reaffirm the anti-racism statement from 09/26/2023. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with no further discussion.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to reaffirm the anti-racism statement from 09/26/2023. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with no further discussion..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Frecha)
Accept the meeting minutes of the 02/25/2025 meeting
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to accept the meeting minutes of the 02/25/2025 meeting. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The Board noted that the AI-generated minutes were working well. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to accept the meeting minutes of the 02/25/2025 meeting. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The Board noted that the AI-generated minutes were working well. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Frecha)
Adjourn
Megan Birch-McMichael moved to adjourn at 9:03pm. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, and JT Toole thanked everyone for attending.
From the minutes
“Megan Birch-McMichael moved to adjourn at 9:03pm. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, and JT Toole thanked everyone for attending..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Frecha)
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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