MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
April 29, 2025
19 recorded votes, 10 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Laura Shifrin, Veronica Kell, Valerie Goodrich
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Appoint Ian Aurajo as Summer Intern to the Water Department with effective/start date of 05/19/2025
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Ian Aurajo as Summer Intern to the Water Department with effective/start date of 05/19/2025. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Ian Aurajo as Summer Intern to the Water Department with effective/start date of 05/19/2025. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
Appoint Connor Tesini as Summer Intern to the Water Department with effective/start date of 06/23/2025
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valetie Goodrich to appoint Connor Tesini as Summer Intern to the Water Department with effective/start date of 06/23/2025. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valetie Goodrich to appoint Connor Tesini as Summer Intern to the Water Department with effective/start date of 06/23/2025. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes..” (Motion: Kell)
Appoint Lucas Kazanjian as Summer Intern to the Water Department with effective/start date of 06/23/2025
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Lucas Kazanjian as Summer Intern to the Water Department with effective/start date of 06/23/2025. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Lucas Kazanjian as Summer Intern to the Water Department with effective/start date of 06/23/2025. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
Te-organize the Selectboard as follows: Laura Shifrin Chair, Veronica Kell Vice-Chair, Valerie Goodrich Clerk, It was discussed that going forward the Clerk will make the motions, and Vice-Chair...
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to te-organize the Selectboard as follows: Laura Shifrin Chair, Veronica Kell Vice-Chair, Valerie Goodrich Clerk, It was discussed that going forward the Clerk will make the motions, and Vice-Chair will second the motion. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valeric Goodrich yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to te-organize the Selectboard as follows: Laura Shifrin Chair, Veronica Kell Vice-Chair, Valerie Goodrich Clerk, It was discussed that going forward the Clerk will make the motions, and Vice-Chair will second the motion. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valeric Goodrich yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
4.5 Second Reading West Townsend Reading Room Policy
Assign Laura Shifrin to the following liaisons: Elected Boards and committee assignments except for NMRSD School Committee, Recreation Committee, Small Towns Collaborative, Cultural Council from...
Motion was made by Valerie Goodrich and seconded by Veronica Kell to assign Laura Shifrin to the following liaisons: Elected Boards and committee assignments except for NMRSD School Committee, Recreation Committee, Small Towns Collaborative, Cultural Council from General Government, to assign Veronica Kell to the following liaisons Public Safety and committee assignments plus from General Government Housing Authority, Bylaw Review Committee and Affordable Housing Trust, to assign Valetie Goodrich to the following liaisons General Government and committee assignments plus Cultural Council, NMRSD School Committee, Recreation Committee, Small Towns Collaborative. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Valerie Goodrich and seconded by Veronica Kell to assign Laura Shifrin to the following liaisons: Elected Boards and committee assignments except for NMRSD School Committee, Recreation Committee, Small Towns Collaborative, Cultural Council from General Government, to assign Veronica Kell to the following liaisons Public Safety and committee assignments plus from General Government Housing Authority, Bylaw Review Committee and Affordable Housing Trust, to assign Valetie Goodrich to the following liaisons General Government and committee assignments plus Cultural Council, NMRSD School Committee, Recreation Committee, Small Towns Collaborative. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
5.1 Town Administrator Updates and Reports
Accept the updated West Townsend Reading Room Policy as read
Motion was made by Valerie Goodrich and seconded by Veronica Kell to accept the updated West Townsend Reading Room Policy as read. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Valerie Goodrich and seconded by Veronica Kell to accept the updated West Townsend Reading Room Policy as read. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Approve the Policy for Use of Memorial Hall Auditorium as read
Motion was made by Valerie Goodrich and seconded by Veronica Kell to approve the Policy for Use of Memorial Hall Auditorium as read. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Valerie Goodrich and seconded by Veronica Kell to approve the Policy for Use of Memorial Hall Auditorium as read. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Motion was made by Valerie Goodrich and seconded by Veronica Kell to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Valerie Goodrich and seconded by Veronica Kell to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Accept the General Government budget for FY26 with no override at $1,640,218
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept the General Government budget for FY26 with no override at $1,640,218. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained.
Yes: Kell, ShifrinAbstained: Goodrich
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept the General Government budget for FY26 with no override at $1,640,218. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
Accept the Public Safety budget for FY26 with no override at $4,352,545
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept the Public Safety budget for FY26 with no override at $4,352,545. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained.
Yes: Kell, ShifrinAbstained: Goodrich
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept the Public Safety budget for FY26 with no override at $4,352,545. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
Accept the Education budget for FY26 with no override at $16,765,463
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept the Education budget for FY26 with no override at $16,765,463. Motion passed with Laura Shiftin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained.
Yes: Kell, ShifrinAbstained: Goodrich
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept the Education budget for FY26 with no override at $16,765,463. Motion passed with Laura Shiftin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
Accept Highway and Streets budget for FY26 with no override at $714,627
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept Highway and Streets budget for FY26 with no override at $714,627. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained.
Yes: Kell, ShifrinAbstained: Goodrich
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept Highway and Streets budget for FY26 with no override at $714,627. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
Accept the Solid Waste budget for FY26 with no ovettide at $19,700
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept the Solid Waste budget for FY26 with no ovettide at $19,700. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained.
Yes: Kell, ShifrinAbstained: Goodrich
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept the Solid Waste budget for FY26 with no ovettide at $19,700. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
Accept Human Services budget for FY26 with no ovetride at $467,987
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept Human Services budget for FY26 with no ovetride at $467,987. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained.
Yes: Kell, ShifrinAbstained: Goodrich
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept Human Services budget for FY26 with no ovetride at $467,987. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
Accept the Culture and Recreation budget for FY26 with no override at $549,774
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept the Culture and Recreation budget for FY26 with no override at $549,774, Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained.
Yes: Kell, ShifrinAbstained: Goodrich
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept the Culture and Recreation budget for FY26 with no override at $549,774, Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
Accept the Debt Service budget for FY26 with no override at $405,480
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept the Debt Service budget for FY26 with no override at $405,480. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained.
Yes: Kell, ShifrinAbstained: Goodrich
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept the Debt Service budget for FY26 with no override at $405,480. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
Accept the Insurances budget for FY26 with no override at $2,711,986
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valeric Goodrich to accept the Insurances budget for FY26 with no override at $2,711,986. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained.
Yes: Kell, ShifrinAbstained: Goodrich
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valeric Goodrich to accept the Insurances budget for FY26 with no override at $2,711,986. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained..” (Motion: Kell)
Accept Grand Total budget for FY26 with no override at $27,591,780
Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept Grand Total budget for FY26 with no override at $27,591,780. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained.
Yes: Kell, ShifrinAbstained: Goodrich
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica Kell and seconded by Valerie Goodrich to accept Grand Total budget for FY26 with no override at $27,591,780. Motion passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich abstained..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
And Valerie Goodrich
Veronica Kell moved and Valerie Goodrich seconded to adjourn at 10:14PM. Motion passed with Laura Shiftin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes.
From the minutes
“Veronica Kell moved and Valerie Goodrich seconded to adjourn at 10:14PM. Motion passed with Laura Shiftin yes, Veronica Kell yes, Valerie Goodrich yes..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
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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