MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
July 30, 2025
12 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Laura Shifrin, Veronica Kell, Valerie Goodrich
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Grant a one-day special license application to the Townsend Ecumenical Outreach for Summer Celebration and Pundraiser on September 6, 2025, for the event from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Townsend...
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to grant a one-day special license application to the Townsend Ecumenical Outreach for Summer Celebration and Pundraiser on September 6, 2025, for the event from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Townsend Town Common, 257 Main Street, Townsend, MA 01469, subject to receiving TIPS appropriate certification, following the license conditions and police detail, to be signed out of session. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Approved unanimously
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to grant a one-day special license application to the Townsend Ecumenical Outreach for Summer Celebration and Pundraiser on September 6, 2025, for the event from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Townsend Town Common, 257 Main Street, Townsend, MA 01469, subject to receiving TIPS appropriate certification, following the license conditions and police detail, to be signed out of session. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Approved unanimously.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Add an application for a one-day license to conduct a one-day game commonly called "Beano" for the same event
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to add an application for a one-day license to conduct a one-day game commonly called "Beano" for the same event. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Approved unanimously
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to add an application for a one-day license to conduct a one-day game commonly called "Beano" for the same event. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Approved unanimously.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Grant an application for a one-day license to conduct a one-day game commonly called "Beano" for September 6, 2025, for the Townsend Ecumenical Outreach for Summer Celebration and Fundraiser at...
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to grant an application for a one-day license to conduct a one-day game commonly called "Beano" for September 6, 2025, for the Townsend Ecumenical Outreach for Summer Celebration and Fundraiser at 257 Main Street, Townsend, MA 01469, to be signed out of session. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Approved unanimously
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to grant an application for a one-day license to conduct a one-day game commonly called "Beano" for September 6, 2025, for the Townsend Ecumenical Outreach for Summer Celebration and Fundraiser at 257 Main Street, Townsend, MA 01469, to be signed out of session. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Approved unanimously.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Appoint James Deroian to the Historic District Commission effective July 30, 2025, until June 30, 2028
Motion: Board Member Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint James Deroian to the Historic District Commission effective July 30, 2025, until June 30, 2028. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Abstain Motion passed 2-0 with 1 abstention.
Yes: Goodrich, KellAbstained: Shifrin
From the minutes
“Motion: Board Member Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint James Deroian to the Historic District Commission effective July 30, 2025, until June 30, 2028. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Abstain Motion passed 2-0 with 1 abstention..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Appoint Maria Milliken to the Historic District Commission effective July 30, 2025, until June 30, 2028
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Maria Milliken to the Historic District Commission effective July 30, 2025, until June 30, 2028. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Yes Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Maria Milliken to the Historic District Commission effective July 30, 2025, until June 30, 2028. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Yes Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
3.3 Appoint Jennifer Ravellette to the Historic District Commission effective
Appoint Jennifer Ravellette to the Historic District Commission effective July 30, 2025, until June 30, 2028, as an alternate
Motion: Board Member Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Jennifer Ravellette to the Historic District Commission effective July 30, 2025, until June 30, 2028, as an alternate. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Yes Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion: Board Member Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Jennifer Ravellette to the Historic District Commission effective July 30, 2025, until June 30, 2028, as an alternate. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Yes Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Approve and sign the Animals in Public Buildings Policy
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve and sign the Animals in Public Buildings Policy. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Approved unanimously
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve and sign the Animals in Public Buildings Policy. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Approved unanimously.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Sign the Community Compact Grant Phase 2 Fiber contract as discussed, out of session with Contract Corporation, pending legal review
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to sign the Community Compact Grant Phase 2 Fiber contract as discussed, out of session with Contract Corporation, pending legal review. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Yes Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to sign the Community Compact Grant Phase 2 Fiber contract as discussed, out of session with Contract Corporation, pending legal review. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Yes Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
The maximum useful life of the dump truck to be financed with the proceeds of the $229,500 borrowing authorization by the vote of the town passed June 18, 2025, Article 15, is hereby determined...
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved that the maximum useful life of the dump truck to be financed with the proceeds of the $229,500 borrowing authorization by the vote of the town passed June 18, 2025, Article 15, is hereby determined pursuant to General Law Chapter 44 Section 7-1 to be 15 years. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Yes Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved that the maximum useful life of the dump truck to be financed with the proceeds of the $229,500 borrowing authorization by the vote of the town passed June 18, 2025, Article 15, is hereby determined pursuant to General Law Chapter 44 Section 7-1 to be 15 years. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Yes Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.9 Highway Department Chapter
Approve the Highway Department's request for Chapter 90 funding to be used for Apple Drive, to be signed out of session
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the Highway Department's request for Chapter 90 funding to be used for Apple Drive, to be signed out of session. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Yes Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the Highway Department's request for Chapter 90 funding to be used for Apple Drive, to be signed out of session. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Yes Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
5.5 Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Review and sign payroll and bills payable watrants out of session
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved that the Board review and sign payroll and bills payable watrants out of session. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Approved unanimously
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved that the Board review and sign payroll and bills payable watrants out of session. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Approved unanimously.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
6.1 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter
Enter and to adjourn from Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A Section 21 (a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a...
Motion: Laura Shifrin moved to enter and to adjourn from Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A 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, Fire Union) Second: Veronica Kell Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Yes Motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion: Laura Shifrin moved to enter and to adjourn from Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A 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, Fire Union) Second: Veronica Kell Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Chair Laura Shifrin - Yes Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Shifrin, second: Kell)
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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