MassVoter.com← Taunton Municipal CouncilTaunton Municipal Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
April 15, 2025
25 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Christopher Coute, Phillip Duarte, Jeffrey Postell, Lawrence Quintal, Barry Sanders, David Pottier, Scott Martin, Estele Borges, John McCaul
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Councilor Coute recused himself from the hearing as he has a property that abuts the property being discussed
Every vote, in order
He also expressed concern that the area in front of Watson's Pond has not been cleaned by DCR in quite a while.
To refer the first matter to the Department of Public Works and the second matter to the Mayor's Office
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer the first matter to the Department of Public Works and the second matter to the Mayor's Office. So Voted..”
So Voted.
To go out of the regular order of business to Page #6 of the agenda packet
From the minutes
“Motion was made to go out of the regular order of business to Page #6 of the agenda packet. So Voted..”
She is also asking that a multi-disciplinary team with members from the City administration, school administration, non-profit sector and business community be immediately convened to begin contingency planning.
To refer this communication to the Committee of the Whole
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer this communication to the Committee of the Whole. So Voted..”
Richard Conti, the City Assessor, discussed that there are mechanisms in place to allow them to know where they are in terms of finances.
To make the presentation a part of the record, as well as to place the presentation on the City's website
From the minutes
“Councilor Pottier motioned to make the presentation a part of the record, as well as to place the presentation on the City's website. So Voted..” (Motion: Pottier)
Hearing: Continued Hearing from March 18, 2025: On the petition submitted by Attorney Gregory S
To reopen the hearing and invite the interested parties into the enclosure
From the minutes
“Motion was made to reopen the hearing and invite the interested parties into the enclosure. So Voted..”
Attorney Sampson stated that they would not have an issue paying for the utility upgrades if the City does not receive the grant.
To refer the numbers for the projected impact on the public safety call volume to the Police Chief and the Fire Chief or their designees to provide a response on whether they agree or have any disagreement with those numbers and what the impact will be on their Departments
From the minutes
“Councilor Duarte motioned to refer the numbers for the projected impact on the public safety call volume to the Police Chief and the Fire Chief or their designees to provide a response on whether they agree or have any disagreement with those numbers and what the impact will be on their Departments. So Voted..” (Motion: Duarte)
Dello Russo stated that they are working with Greystar to have the back taxes resolved during this fiscal year because it will come in as an excess over their estimates for the budget and they will be able to take the revenue and disperse it immediately.
To open public input
From the minutes
“Motion was made to open public input. So Voted..”
He discussed that the City is working hard to assist Greystar with this project and feels they are fighting back to spend money on important issues.
To close public input
From the minutes
“Motion was made to close public input. So Voted..”
So Voted.
To continue the hearing until April 29, 2025
From the minutes
“Motion was made to continue the hearing until April 29, 2025. So Voted..”
The City Clerk read a communication from Mayor O'Connell regarding a request from the School Department for a $600,000.00 purchase to help meet important technology needs for their students, faculty and staff.
To refer to the Committee on Finance and Salaries
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer to the Committee on Finance and Salaries. So Voted..”
Communications from the Mayor: The City Clerk read a communication from Mayor O'Connell regarding a request from the School Department for a $600,000.00 purchase to help meet important technology needs for their students, faculty and staff.
To refer to the Committee on Finance and Salaries
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer to the Committee on Finance and Salaries. So Voted..”
The City Clerk read a communication from Mayor O'Connell regarding an update on various public safety matters.
To receive and place on file
From the minutes
“Motion was made to receive and place on file. So Voted..”
The City Clerk read a communication from Mayor O'Connell regarding an update on 23 Couch Street.
To receive and place on file
From the minutes
“Motion was made to receive and place on file. So Voted..”
Taunton Youth Commission e Appointment of Denzel Chukwu to the Taunton Youth Commission for a term of two (2) years expiring April 2027.
To approve
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve. So Voted..”
Appointment of Denzel Chukwu to the Taunton Youth Commission for a term of two (2) years expiring April 2027
To approve
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve. So Voted..”
Com. from the Assistant Executive Director of Retirement regarding the retirement for Superannuation of Eric Moura, an employee of the Taunton Police Department on July 31, 2025.
To receive and place on file and send the appropriate scroll thanking him for his service
From the minutes
“Motion was made to receive and place on file and send the appropriate scroll thanking him for his service. So Voted..”
Communications from the Mayor: The City Clerk read a communication from Mayor O'Connell regarding a request from the School Department for a $600,000.00 purchase to help meet important technology needs for their students, faculty and staff.
To refer to the Committee on Finance and Salaries
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer to the Committee on Finance and Salaries. So Voted..”
The City Clerk read a communication from Mayor O'Connell regarding an update on various public safety matters.
To receive and place on file
From the minutes
“Motion was made to receive and place on file. So Voted..”
Com. from Richard Shafer, Festival Committee Chairperson, Taunton River Watershed Alliance stating that the Taunton River Festival will take place on June 8" from 11:00am until 4:00pm
To refer to the Police Chief and the Fire Chief
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer to the Police Chief and the Fire Chief. So Voted..”
Com. from Andrew Luc, ACCS Licensing Coordinator, Community Counseling of Bristol County Inc
To refer to the Committee of the Whole
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer to the Committee of the Whole. So Voted..”
Petitions: Hours of Operations License - Renewal 1
To refer the above five (5) license renewals to the Committee on Police and License and the Police Chief
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer the above five (5) license renewals to the Committee on Police and License and the Police Chief. So Voted..”
Committee reports
For Committee Reports to be read by title and approved
From the minutes
“Motion was made for Committee Reports to be read by title and approved. So Voted..”
Matteson Lane, both sides, from the intersection with Bay Street for 200'. All ordinances or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon passage.
To pass to a second reading
From the minutes
“Motion was made to pass to a second reading. So Voted..”
Resolutions: Ordinance for a first reading to be passed to a second reading AN ORDINANCE ARTICLE III
To refer to the Committee on Police and License and the Police Chief the issue of overnight and/or long term parking at certain city lots
From the minutes
“Councilor Pottier motioned to refer to the Committee on Police and License and the Police Chief the issue of overnight and/or long term parking at certain city lots. So Voted..” (Motion: Pottier)
Councilor Pottier stated that he was contacted by a concerned resident stating that there was an RV parked at the boat ramp in the Weir.
To refer to the Committee of the Whole for an update on any current TIE/TIF agreements with the City
From the minutes
“Councilor Martin motioned to refer to the Committee of the Whole for an update on any current TIE/TIF agreements with the City. So Voted..” (Motion: Martin)
From the official minutes kept by the Taunton City Clerk (agendas and minutes). From the Taunton Municipal Council’s official minutes, posted in the city’s Agenda Center. Most items pass by voice (“So voted”), and the minutes record only the result for those; how each councilor voted is shown for roll calls. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Councilor photos: City of Taunton Municipal Council page (taunton-ma.gov). Former councilors show initials.
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