MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
April 8, 2025
13 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Laura Shifrin, Veronica Kell
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
2.2 Meeting with Regional Energy Manager Michelle Zelenka Selectboard meeting called to order at
Approve the meeting minutes of 03/10/2025
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to approve the meeting minutes of 03/10/2025. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to approve the meeting minutes of 03/10/2025. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Shifrin)
(the minutes do not state the motion)
Motion was made to approve Tavern 13 request for a One- Day Special License (Alcohol) for a '""Mother's Day Market" event Birchhouse Botanicals on 05/10/2025 from 11AM- 3PM. Motion was passed with Laura Shiftin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve Tavern 13 request for a One- Day Special License (Alcohol) for a '""Mother's Day Market" event Birchhouse Botanicals on 05/10/2025 from 11AM- 3PM. Motion was passed with Laura Shiftin yes, Veronica Kell yes..”
4.2 Townsend Democratic Town Committee request for use of Meeting Room
Appoint Joseph Lenox as per-diem firefighter/ paramedic to the Townsend Fire-EMS Department with effective/start date 04/21/2025
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to appoint Joseph Lenox as per-diem firefighter/ paramedic to the Townsend Fire-EMS Department with effective/start date 04/21/2025. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to appoint Joseph Lenox as per-diem firefighter/ paramedic to the Townsend Fire-EMS Department with effective/start date 04/21/2025. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Shifrin)
Appoint Joe Padykula as per-diem firefighter/ paramedic to the Townsend Fire-EMS Department with effective/start date 05/01/2025
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to appoint Joe Padykula as per-diem firefighter/ paramedic to the Townsend Fire-EMS Department with effective/start date 05/01/2025. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to appoint Joe Padykula as per-diem firefighter/ paramedic to the Townsend Fire-EMS Department with effective/start date 05/01/2025. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Shifrin)
Approve the Highway request to use Chapter 90 funds for resurface of Greenville Rd and resurface of Hillside Drive
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to approve the Highway request to use Chapter 90 funds for resurface of Greenville Rd and resurface of Hillside Drive. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to approve the Highway request to use Chapter 90 funds for resurface of Greenville Rd and resurface of Hillside Drive. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Shifrin)
Permit the Townsend Democratic Town Committee to use Meeting Room 2 for caucus on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 9:30AM and ending at 2:30PM
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to permit the Townsend Democratic Town Committee to use Meeting Room 2 for caucus on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 9:30AM and ending at 2:30PM. Motion amended allow the use of Meeting Room 2 for caucus on Saturday May 3, 2025 at 9:30AM ending at 2:30PM for the Townsend Democratic Town Committee with the caveat to inform admin Sabrina Moore of the end time if it is before 2:30PM with information to Sabrina Moore if the end time is before 2:30PM. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to permit the Townsend Democratic Town Committee to use Meeting Room 2 for caucus on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 9:30AM and ending at 2:30PM. Motion amended allow the use of Meeting Room 2 for caucus on Saturday May 3, 2025 at 9:30AM ending at 2:30PM for the Townsend Democratic Town Committee with the caveat to inform admin Sabrina Moore of the end time if it is before 2:30PM with information to Sabrina Moore if the end time is before 2:30PM. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Shifrin)
4.8 Review/Discuss Metrogov contract expiration and options for continuance of website maintenance
Assign Nelson Mui as signatory for the engagement letter with Roselli, Clark and Associates for FY25, FY26 and the option of FY27 for the audit of the Town of Townsend finances pending Town...
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to assign Nelson Mui as signatory for the engagement letter with Roselli, Clark and Associates for FY25, FY26 and the option of FY27 for the audit of the Town of Townsend finances pending Town Counsel review. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to assign Nelson Mui as signatory for the engagement letter with Roselli, Clark and Associates for FY25, FY26 and the option of FY27 for the audit of the Town of Townsend finances pending Town Counsel review. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Shifrin)
Accept the Emergency Assistance Funds Policy pending Town Counsel review and after corrections are made
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to accept the Emergency Assistance Funds Policy pending Town Counsel review and after corrections are made. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to accept the Emergency Assistance Funds Policy pending Town Counsel review and after corrections are made. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Shifrin)
Name Nelson Mui Town Administrator as signatory authority to sign the Community Compact Grant paperwork for the information technology grant in the amount of $133,727
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to name Nelson Mui Town Administrator as signatory authority to sign the Community Compact Grant paperwork for the information technology grant in the amount of $133,727. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to name Nelson Mui Town Administrator as signatory authority to sign the Community Compact Grant paperwork for the information technology grant in the amount of $133,727. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Shifrin)
Grant Nelson Mui, Town Administrator, signatory authority to sign the McFarland Johnson contract contingent on Town Counsel's review for the Route 13 Walk Bridge MassWorks grant
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to grant Nelson Mui, Town Administrator, signatory authority to sign the McFarland Johnson contract contingent on Town Counsel's review for the Route 13 Walk Bridge MassWorks grant. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to grant Nelson Mui, Town Administrator, signatory authority to sign the McFarland Johnson contract contingent on Town Counsel's review for the Route 13 Walk Bridge MassWorks grant. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Shifrin)
6.1 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter
The Selectboard members sign the performance review summary for Town Administrator Nelson Mui, Motion was amended to add to sign out of session
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin that the Selectboard members sign the performance review summary for Town Administrator Nelson Mui, Motion was amended to add to sign out of session. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin that the Selectboard members sign the performance review summary for Town Administrator Nelson Mui, Motion was amended to add to sign out of session. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Shifrin)
Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.” (Motion: Kell, second: Shifrin)
Enter into and adjourn from at 7:59PM Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter 30A strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on...
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to enter into and adjourn from at 7:59PM Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter 30A 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. (Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, Highway/Water Union, Police Union, Fire Union) VU. ADJOURNMENT: Dial in access 1-301-715-8592 Section 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. (Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, Highway/Water Union, Police Union, Fite Union) Motion was passed with roll call vote Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to enter into and adjourn from at 7:59PM Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter 30A 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. (Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, Highway/Water Union, Police Union, Fire Union) VU. ADJOURNMENT: Dial in access 1-301-715-8592 Section 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. (Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, Highway/Water Union, Police Union, Fite Union) Motion was passed with roll call vote Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.” (Motion: Kell, second: Shifrin)
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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