MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
September 24, 2024
12 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your Townsend ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Attendance
Present: Joseph Z. Shank, Theresa A. Morse
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Approve the meeting minutes for 09/05/2024, 09/10/2024, 09/11/2024, 09/23/2024
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to approve the meeting minutes for 09/05/2024, 09/10/2024, 09/11/2024, 09/23/2024. Motion was passed with roll call vote 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 meeting minutes for 09/05/2024, 09/10/2024, 09/11/2024, 09/23/2024. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Approve the purchase of a laptop for Townsend Senior Center Transportation/Administrator/Lead Van Driver using Senior Center funds
Motion was made by Joseph Z. Shank and seconded by Theresa A. Morse to approve the purchase of a laptop for Townsend Senior Center Transportation/Administrator/Lead Van Driver using Senior Center funds. The question came up why it was necessary and needed instead of use of a smart phone. The employee would be able to work from home using the laptop if needed. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Joseph Z. Shank and seconded by Theresa A. Morse to approve the purchase of a laptop for Townsend Senior Center Transportation/Administrator/Lead Van Driver using Senior Center funds. The question came up why it was necessary and needed instead of use of a smart phone. The employee would be able to work from home using the laptop if needed. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Shank, second: Morse)
Grant Nelson Mui signatory authority to sign the Complete Streets grant application once it has been completed by the Grant Coordinator
Motion was made by Joseph Z. Shank and seconded by Theresa A. Morse to grant Nelson Mui signatory authority to sign the Complete Streets grant application once it has been completed by the Grant Coordinator. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Joseph Z. Shank and seconded by Theresa A. Morse to grant Nelson Mui signatory authority to sign the Complete Streets grant application once it has been completed by the Grant Coordinator. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Shank, second: Morse)
Provide the Land Use Coordinator's compensation equal 5 hours of the approved Conservation Agent hourly rate retro-active to the beginning of July 2024 per week until the vacant Conservation Agent...
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to provide the Land Use Coordinator's compensation equal 5 hours of the approved Conservation Agent hourly rate retro-active to the beginning of July 2024 per week until the vacant Conservation Agent position has been filled. James Gates Conservation Commission Chairman asked when the position will be filled as it was vacant for a while. Hiring stop is currently in place due to budgeting needs. Motion was passed with roll call vote 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 provide the Land Use Coordinator's compensation equal 5 hours of the approved Conservation Agent hourly rate retro-active to the beginning of July 2024 per week until the vacant Conservation Agent position has been filled. James Gates Conservation Commission Chairman asked when the position will be filled as it was vacant for a while. Hiring stop is currently in place due to budgeting needs. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Grant signature authority to Kathy Spofford to countersign payroll and accounts payable warrants
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to grant signature authority to Kathy Spofford to countersign payroll and accounts payable warrants. Theresa A. Morse clarified that she will also sign the warrants to have two signatures. Motion was passed with roll call vote 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 grant signature authority to Kathy Spofford to countersign payroll and accounts payable warrants. Theresa A. Morse clarified that she will also sign the warrants to have two signatures. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Grant Town Administrator Nelson Mui to be the designated signatory for updated agreement for engineering services by and between the Town of Townsend Massachusetts and Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to grant Town Administrator Nelson Mui to be the designated signatory for updated agreement for engineering services by and between the Town of Townsend Massachusetts and Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc. Motion was passed with roll call vote 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 grant Town Administrator Nelson Mui to be the designated signatory for updated agreement for engineering services by and between the Town of Townsend Massachusetts and Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
5.3 Announcements /Communicati ons
Grant Nelson Mui signature authority to sign the Municipal ADA Improvement Grant award letter when it comes in
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to grant Nelson Mui signature authority to sign the Municipal ADA Improvement Grant award letter when it comes in. Motion was passed with roll call vote 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 grant Nelson Mui signature authority to sign the Municipal ADA Improvement Grant award letter when it comes in. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Sign the State Election Warrant being held on November 5, 2024 and the Special Election Warrant being held on November 16, 2024
Motion was made by Joseph Z. Shank and seconded by Theresa A. Morse to sign the State Election Warrant being held on November 5, 2024 and the Special Election Warrant being held on November 16, 2024. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Joseph Z. Shank and seconded by Theresa A. Morse to sign the State Election Warrant being held on November 5, 2024 and the Special Election Warrant being held on November 16, 2024. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Shank, second: Morse)
Approve the issuance and details of a loan from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (Loan No. DWPEC-24-24) and sign related interim loan note closing documents out of the session with Kathy...
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to approve the issuance and details of a loan from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (Loan No. DWPEC-24-24) and sign related interim loan note closing documents out of the session with Kathy Spofford as a witness. These additional documents need to be signed for the Water Treatment Plant. Town Counsel did not review any of the changes yet, but the bond counsel has previously reviewed it. Town Counsel recommended to sign it. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Motse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to approve the issuance and details of a loan from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (Loan No. DWPEC-24-24) and sign related interim loan note closing documents out of the session with Kathy Spofford as a witness. These additional documents need to be signed for the Water Treatment Plant. Town Counsel did not review any of the changes yet, but the bond counsel has previously reviewed it. Town Counsel recommended to sign it. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Motse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Have Nelson Mui Town Administrator sign the letter of support for the TAYSA grant application out of session once TAYSA has completed and submitted the grant paperwork subject to approval of a...
Motion was revised and made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to have Nelson Mui Town Administrator sign the letter of support for the TAYSA grant application out of session once TAYSA has completed and submitted the grant paperwork subject to approval of a development plan by the Board of Selectmen in the future. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was revised and made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to have Nelson Mui Town Administrator sign the letter of support for the TAYSA grant application out of session once TAYSA has completed and submitted the grant paperwork subject to approval of a development plan by the Board of Selectmen in the future. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
5.5 Review and sign payroll and bills |
Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank payable warrants out of session. to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank payable warrants out of session. to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Adjourn
Motion was made by Theresa Morse and seconded Joseph Z. Shank to : adjourn at 6:47 p.m. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa Morse and seconded Joseph Z. Shank to : adjourn at 6:47 p.m. Motion was passed with roll call vote Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →