MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2023–2024 Board · Joint meeting
January 23, 2024
12 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Chaz Sexton-Diranian, Joseph Z. Shank, Theresa A. Morse
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
4.1 Approve/Adopt Remote Participation Policy -
Approve the plan of the Energy Committee with the goals as presented and refer to the Planning Board for next steps
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to approve the plan of the Energy Committee with the goals as presented and refer to the Planning Board for next steps. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to approve the plan of the Energy Committee with the goals as presented and refer to the Planning Board for next steps. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Appoint Richard Bernier as heavy equipment operator to the Highway Department effective 01/22/2024 with start date 01/22/2024
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to appoint Richard Bernier as heavy equipment operator to the Highway Department effective 01/22/2024 with start date 01/22/2024. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton- Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to appoint Richard Bernier as heavy equipment operator to the Highway Department effective 01/22/2024 with start date 01/22/2024. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton- Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Establish a Memorial Hall/Great Hall fee schedule that would be Town Boards and Departments at no charge, Townsend non-profits and community groups at $100 for the first 3 hours and $25 for any...
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to establish a Memorial Hall/Great Hall fee schedule that would be Town Boards and Departments at no charge, Townsend non-profits and community groups at $100 for the first 3 hours and $25 for any hour over that, private events at $150 for the first 3 hours and $50 for any hour over that and all non-departmental users would be required to submit a $50 security deposit that would be returnable if the Memorial Hall/Great Hall was left in good condition with an application and on first come first serve basis. as outlined above. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to establish a Memorial Hall/Great Hall fee schedule that would be Town Boards and Departments at no charge, Townsend non-profits and community groups at $100 for the first 3 hours and $25 for any hour over that, private events at $150 for the first 3 hours and $50 for any hour over that and all non-departmental users would be required to submit a $50 security deposit that would be returnable if the Memorial Hall/Great Hall was left in good condition with an application and on first come first serve basis. as outlined above. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Surplus any chairs over 228 in the Great Hall stage/area
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to surplus any chairs over 228 in the Great Hall stage/area. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to surplus any chairs over 228 in the Great Hall stage/area. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Exercise the opt- out of vote by mail for Local Elections
Motion was made by Chaz Sexton- Diranian and seconded by Theresa A. Morse to exercise the opt- out of vote by mail for Local Elections. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse no.
Yes: Sexton-Diranian, ShankNo: Morse
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Chaz Sexton- Diranian and seconded by Theresa A. Morse to exercise the opt- out of vote by mail for Local Elections. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse no..” (Motion: Sexton-Diranian, second: Morse)
Reallocate $9,886 from ARPA 05 (ARPA Reporting) to cover overage in ARPA 10 (Water Treatment Plant Engineering)
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to reallocate $9,886 from ARPA 05 (ARPA Reporting) to cover overage in ARPA 10 (Water Treatment Plant Engineering). Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to reallocate $9,886 from ARPA 05 (ARPA Reporting) to cover overage in ARPA 10 (Water Treatment Plant Engineering). Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Reallocate $29 from ARPA 05 (ARPA Reporting) to cover overage in ARPA 22 (Gazebo Improvement)
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to reallocate $29 from ARPA 05 (ARPA Reporting) to cover overage in ARPA 22 (Gazebo Improvement). Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton- Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to reallocate $29 from ARPA 05 (ARPA Reporting) to cover overage in ARPA 22 (Gazebo Improvement). Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton- Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Reallocate $3,284 from ARPA 05 (ARPA Reporting) to cover overage in ARPA 18 (Public Safety Expenses)
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to reallocate $3,284 from ARPA 05 (ARPA Reporting) to cover overage in ARPA 18 (Public Safety Expenses). Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton- Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to reallocate $3,284 from ARPA 05 (ARPA Reporting) to cover overage in ARPA 18 (Public Safety Expenses). Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton- Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
ARPA 9 (Broadband & WIFI)
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank reallocate $49,856 from ARPA 05(ARPA Reporting) to ARPA 9 (Broadband & WIFI). Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank reallocate $49,856 from ARPA 05(ARPA Reporting) to ARPA 9 (Broadband & WIFI). Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Motion was made by Theresa Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Enter Executive Session at 6:59 p.m. and to come back from Executive Session: 6.1 2) Executive Session pursuant to GL c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3), to discuss strategy with respect to litigation if an open...
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph 7. Shank to enter Executive Session at 6:59 p.m. and to come back from Executive Session: 6.1 2) Executive Session pursuant to GL c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3), to discuss strategy with respect to litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph 7. Shank to enter Executive Session at 6:59 p.m. and to come back from Executive Session: 6.1 2) Executive Session pursuant to GL c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3), to discuss strategy with respect to litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.” (Motion: Morse)
Enter Executive Session at 8:40 p.m and to adjourn from executive session pursuant to GL c. 304A, s. 21(a)(3), to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have...
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by 30A, s. 21(a)(3) Joseph Z. Shank to enter Executive Session at 8:40 p.m and to adjourn from executive session pursuant to GL c. 304A, s. 21(a)(3), to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by 30A, s. 21(a)(3) Joseph Z. Shank to enter Executive Session at 8:40 p.m and to adjourn from executive session pursuant to GL c. 304A, s. 21(a)(3), to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse)
From the Townsend Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s Agendas and Minutes page (Select Board). 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): Town of Townsend Candidates Night video — Valerie Goodrich and Sarah Logan (April 2025); Just Townies — Laura Shifrin (October 2023). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
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