MassVoter.com← Taunton Municipal CouncilTaunton Municipal Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
October 14, 2025
21 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: John McCaul, Estele Borges, Scott Martin, David Pottier, Barry Sanders, Lawrence Quintal, Jeffrey Postell, Phillip Duarte
Absent: Christopher Coute
Every vote, in order
So Voted.
To go out of the regular order of business to Appointments
From the minutes
“Motion made to go out of the regular order of business to Appointments. So voted..”
Communication from Mayor O'Connell showing support for the re-appointment of Paul Arikian, Director of Technology for a term of three (3) years expiring October 14, 2028
To re-appoint Paul Arikian as Director of Technology
From the minutes
“Motion was made to re-appoint Paul Arikian as Director of Technology. So voted..”
The City Clerk swore Mr. Arikian as Director of Technology.
To revert back to the regular order of business to Public Input
From the minutes
“Motion was made to revert back to the regular order of business to Public Input. So voted..”
Communication from Mayor O'Connell showing support for the re-appointment of Paul Arikian, Director of Technology for a term of three (3) years expiring October 14, 2028
To take a short recess at 7:30 p.m
From the minutes
“Motion was made to take a short recess at 7:30 p.m. So voted..”
She asked for the same respect to the residents as they asked of for the City employees.
To close Public Input
From the minutes
“Motion was made to close Public Input. So voted..”
A development consisting of 29 3 residential units at 18 Reed Street located in the Urban Residential District.
To open the public hearing
From the minutes
“Motion was made to open the public hearing. So voted..”
The City Clerk read a communication from John DeSousa of Northcounty Group, Inc. requesting a continuation to November 18, 2025.
To move to approve the continuation to November 18, 2025
From the minutes
“Motion was made to move to approve the continuation to November 18, 2025. So voted..”
The City Clerk read a communication from City Planner requesting a continuation of the Public Hearing to November 18, 2025.
To move to approve the continuation to November 18, 2025
From the minutes
“Motion was made to move to approve the continuation to November 18, 2025. So voted..”
Hearing #2: Continued Hearing from September 22, 2025: Upon the petition of the City of Taunton, 15 Summer Street, Taunton, on the Proposed Changes to the City of Taunton Zoning Ordinance Dated June 17, 2025 for § 440-201 Definitions; Family and Group Home.
To open the continued Public Hearing
From the minutes
“Motion was made to open the continued Public Hearing. So voted..”
Communication from Mayor O'Connell and MassDOT submitting an update on the concems of the train noise associated with the East Taunton Commuter Rail Station.
To receive and place on file pages #1 and #2
From the minutes
“Motion was made to receive and place on file pages #1 and #2. So voted..”
Communication from Mayor O'Connell and MassDOT submitting an update on the concems of the train noise associated with the East Taunton Commuter Rail Station
To go out of the regular order of business to New Business
From the minutes
“Motion was made to go out of the regular order of business to New Business. So voted..”
Communication from Mayor O'Connell showing support for the re-appointment of Paul Arikian, Director of Technology for a term of three (3) years expiring October 14, 2028
To revert back to the regular order of business to Communications from the Mayor
From the minutes
“Motion was made to revert back to the regular order of business to Communications from the Mayor. So voted..”
He noted Attorney Costa would have to provide more detail on this matter.
To withdraw her motion to request to refer to Police Chief Edward Walsh to call for a Chief of Police exam in anticipation of his retirement in 2026, on or before November 30, 2025
From the minutes
“Councilor Borges made a motion to withdraw her motion to request to refer to Police Chief Edward Walsh to call for a Chief of Police exam in anticipation of his retirement in 2026, on or before November 30, 2025. So voted..” (Motion: Borges)
Communication from the City Clerk submitting a list for one (1) permanent full time Police Officer as requested.
To refer to the Commitice on Police and License
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer to the Commitice on Police and License. So voted..”
Communication from the Office of Economic & Community Development requesting to pay a prior year invoice in the amount of $7,800.00.
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..”
Communication from the Chairman of the Taunton Planning Board notifying of a public hearing for a Special Permit/Site Plan Review from Section 440, Attachment #1 of the Zoning Ordinance for the re-construction of a fire damaged building i
To receive and place on file
From the minutes
“Motion was made to receive and place on file. So voted..”
Communication from Fr. William Rodrigues, Pastor of St. Anthony's Church, 126 School Street, Taunton requesting permission to conduct a procession on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
To approve and notify Public Safety departments
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve and notify Public Safety departments. So voted..”
Communication from Jen Hoye, 169 Eldridge Street, Taunton submitting correspondence
To refer to the Law Department and the Committee of the Council as a Whole
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer to the Law Department and the Committee of the Council as a Whole. So voted..”
Hours of Operation - Renewal 1. MPG Corporation -dba- Garrett's Family Market located at 231 Broadway, Taunton
To refer to the Committee on Police and License and the Police Chief
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer 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..”
Petitions: Hours of Operation - Renewal 1
To appreve Cape Highway Canna, LLC and Trade Group, LILC -dba- Bloom Canna Host Community Waivers
Yes: Borges, Martin, McCaul, Postell, Pottier, Quintal, SandersNo: DuarteAbsent: Coute
From the minutes
“Motion was made to appreve Cape Highway Canna, LLC and Trade Group, LILC -dba- Bloom Canna Host Community Waivers on a roll call vote. On discussion, Councilor Duarte pointed out he will be voting against this. He did partake in outlining this process but he was not a member of the actual special committee after it was created. He thinks there was two fatal flaws in the process. He went into further details. On a roll call vote, eight (8) Councilors were present, seven (7) Councilors voted in favor. Councilor Duarte was opposed. Councilor Coute was absent. Motion passed..”
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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