MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
August 5, 2025
17 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Veronica Kell, Valerie Goodrich, Laura Shifrin
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
1.5 Review/Approve the meeting minutes for
Approve the meeting minutes for May 6, 2025
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to approve the meeting minutes for May 6, 2025. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to approve the meeting minutes for May 6, 2025. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Appoint Cindy King to the Commission on Disability effective August 5, 2025, until June 30, 2028, pending review by town counsel
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to appoint Cindy King to the Commission on Disability effective August 5, 2025, until June 30, 2028, pending review by town counsel. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to appoint Cindy King to the Commission on Disability effective August 5, 2025, until June 30, 2028, pending review by town counsel. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
3.2 Re-appoint Marylou Vest to the Council on Aging Board effective
Reappoint Marylou Vest to the Council on Aging Board effective July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2027
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Laura Shifrin, to reappoint Marylou Vest to the Council on Aging Board effective July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2027. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Laura Shifrin, to reappoint Marylou Vest to the Council on Aging Board effective July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2027. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Shifrin)
4.1 Review of OML Complaint alleged violation
For town counsel to consider the Open Meeting Law complaint from July 1, 2025
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, for town counsel to consider the Open Meeting Law complaint from July 1, 2025. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, for town counsel to consider the Open Meeting Law complaint from July 1, 2025. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.2 Review of OML Complaint alleged violation
The Open Meeting Law complaint from May 23, 2025, be reviewed by town counsel
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, that the Open Meeting Law complaint from May 23, 2025, be reviewed by town counsel. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, that the Open Meeting Law complaint from May 23, 2025, be reviewed by town counsel. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.4 Review of OML Complaint alleged violation
Have town counsel review the Open Meeting Law complaint dated May 13, 2025
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to have town counsel review the Open Meeting Law complaint dated May 13, 2025. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to have town counsel review the Open Meeting Law complaint dated May 13, 2025. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
The Select Board sign the CBIZ contract pending town counsel review and formatting and CBIZ review, to be signed out of session
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, that the Select Board sign the CBIZ contract pending town counsel review and formatting and CBIZ review, to be signed out of session. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, that the Select Board sign the CBIZ contract pending town counsel review and formatting and CBIZ review, to be signed out of session. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Have a review of the Alcoholic Beverages Policy for current changes, as the last policy was from 2014, and to change all instances of "selectmen" to "select board" for review at a future meeting
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to have a review of the Alcoholic Beverages Policy for current changes, as the last policy was from 2014, and to change all instances of "selectmen" to "select board" for review at a future meeting. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to have a review of the Alcoholic Beverages Policy for current changes, as the last policy was from 2014, and to change all instances of "selectmen" to "select board" for review at a future meeting. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.8 Setting date, opening and closing of Special Town Meeting Nelson Mui confirmed that Thursday, September
Open the warrant for the September 25, 2025, Special Town Meeting on August 19, 2025, at 6:00 PM and close it on September 2, 2025, at noon
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to open the warrant for the September 25, 2025, Special Town Meeting on August 19, 2025, at 6:00 PM and close it on September 2, 2025, at noon. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to open the warrant for the September 25, 2025, Special Town Meeting on August 19, 2025, at 6:00 PM and close it on September 2, 2025, at noon. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Set the Special Town Meeting for Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to set the Special Town Meeting for Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM, location to be determined. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to set the Special Town Meeting for Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM, location to be determined. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.9 First read of Public Comment Policy
Put the Public Comment Policy for a second reading at the next meeting
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to put the Public Comment Policy for a second reading at the next meeting. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to put the Public Comment Policy for a second reading at the next meeting. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.10 Volunteer Response Form Process, Board and Committee Posting Process and Swear into office notification process
Create a Volunteer Board Coordination Committee to consist of the Town Clerk, a member of the Select Board, and a member at large from the community
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to create a Volunteer Board Coordination Committee to consist of the Town Clerk, a member of the Select Board, and a member at large from the community. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to create a Volunteer Board Coordination Committee to consist of the Town Clerk, a member of the Select Board, and a member at large from the community. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.12 Encroachment on Squannacook Meadows
The Select Board issue a letter to the homeowners regarding encroachment on Squannacook Meadows
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, that the Select Board issue a letter to the homeowners regarding encroachment on Squannacook Meadows. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, that the Select Board issue a letter to the homeowners regarding encroachment on Squannacook Meadows. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.13 Encroachment on Dudley Meadows and transfer to Conservation Commission
Place an article on the Special Town Meeting to transfer the Dudley Meadows town property in question to the Conservation Commission
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kelll, to place an article on the Special Town Meeting to transfer the Dudley Meadows town property in question to the Conservation Commission. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kelll, to place an article on the Special Town Meeting to transfer the Dudley Meadows town property in question to the Conservation Commission. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.16 Review/Approve Bingo Permit for TEO for event on
Approve the bingo permit for TEO for an event on October 25, 2025, at 491 Main Street, Townsend
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to approve the bingo permit for TEO for an event on October 25, 2025, at 491 Main Street, Townsend. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to approve the bingo permit for TEO for an event on October 25, 2025, at 491 Main Street, Townsend. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
5.5 Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich, seconded by Veronica Kell, to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
6.2 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter
Enter Executive Session pursuant to the reasons stated in the agenda as read and the motion was amended to include to adjourn from Executive Session
Motion by Laura Shifrin, seconded by Veronica Kell, to enter Executive Session pursuant to the reasons stated in the agenda as read and the motion was amended to include to adjourn from Executive Session. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - yes, Valerie Goodrich - yes, Laura Shifrin - yes.
From the minutes
“Motion by Laura Shifrin, seconded by Veronica Kell, to enter Executive Session pursuant to the reasons stated in the agenda as read and the motion was amended to include to adjourn from Executive Session. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote: Veronica Kell - yes, Valerie Goodrich - yes, Laura Shifrin - yes..” (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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