MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
August 19, 2025
15 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
1.5 Review/Approve the meeting minutes for
Approve the meeting minutes for May 13, 2025, and July 15, 2025, pending review of the video for slight changes
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the meeting minutes for May 13, 2025, and July 15, 2025, pending review of the video for slight changes. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the meeting minutes for May 13, 2025, and July 15, 2025, pending review of the video for slight changes. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
3.1 Appoint
Appoint Laura Shifrin to the Volunteer Board Coordination Committee (VBCC) effective August 19, 2025, until the review is determined to be completed by the Select Board
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Laura Shifrin to the Volunteer Board Coordination Committee (VBCC) effective August 19, 2025, until the review is determined to be completed by the Select Board. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Laura Shifrin to the Volunteer Board Coordination Committee (VBCC) effective August 19, 2025, until the review is determined to be completed by the Select Board. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
3.2 Appoint Harrison Mayotte to the Volunteer Board Coordination Committee (VBCC) effective
Appoint Harrison Mayotte to the Volunteer Board Coordination Committee effective August 19, 2025, per makeup of the created VBCC until the review is determined to be completed by the Select Board
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Harrison Mayotte to the Volunteer Board Coordination Committee effective August 19, 2025, per makeup of the created VBCC until the review is determined to be completed by the Select Board. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Harrison Mayotte to the Volunteer Board Coordination Committee effective August 19, 2025, per makeup of the created VBCC until the review is determined to be completed by the Select Board. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
3.4 Appoint James Deroian to the Volunteer Board Coordination Committee (VBCC) effective
Appoint James Deroian to the Volunteer Board Coordination Committee effective August 19, 2025, per makeup of the created VBCC until the review is determined to be completed by the Select Board
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint James Deroian to the Volunteer Board Coordination Committee effective August 19, 2025, per makeup of the created VBCC until the review is determined to be completed by the Select Board. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint James Deroian to the Volunteer Board Coordination Committee effective August 19, 2025, per makeup of the created VBCC until the review is determined to be completed by the Select Board. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
3.5 Appoint Vicki Tidman as the Board of Assessors representative to the Townsend Town Properties Committee until
Appoint Vicki Tidman as the Board of Assessors representative to the Townsend Town Properties Committee until June 30, 2026
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Vicki Tidman as the Board of Assessors representative to the Townsend Town Properties Committee until June 30, 2026. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Vicki Tidman as the Board of Assessors representative to the Townsend Town Properties Committee until June 30, 2026. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.1 Review of OML Complaint alleged violation
Approve the response for the Open Meeting Law complaint alleged violation from July 1, 2025, subject to review by Town Counsel
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the response for the Open Meeting Law complaint alleged violation from July 1, 2025, subject to review by Town Counsel. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the response for the Open Meeting Law complaint alleged violation from July 1, 2025, subject to review by Town Counsel. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.2 Review of OML Complaint alleged violation
Approve the Open Meeting Law complaint alleged violation response from May 23, 2025, subject to Town Counsel review
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the Open Meeting Law complaint alleged violation response from May 23, 2025, subject to Town Counsel review. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the Open Meeting Law complaint alleged violation response from May 23, 2025, subject to Town Counsel review. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.3 Review of OML Complaint alleged violation
Approve the Open Meeting Law complaint alleged violation response from May 13, 2025, subject to Town Counsel review
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the Open Meeting Law complaint alleged violation response from May 13, 2025, subject to Town Counsel review. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the Open Meeting Law complaint alleged violation response from May 13, 2025, subject to Town Counsel review. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
The town institute no step and no COLA increases for non-union employees with the exception of anyone funded through a revolving fund, anyone in public safety, and the facilities maintenance...
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved that the town institute no step and no COLA increases for non-union employees with the exception of anyone funded through a revolving fund, anyone in public safety, and the facilities maintenance position which has already been decreased in hours, effective August 30, 2025. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved that the town institute no step and no COLA increases for non-union employees with the exception of anyone funded through a revolving fund, anyone in public safety, and the facilities maintenance position which has already been decreased in hours, effective August 30, 2025. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Post for a full-time town accountant subject to review of job description as soon as possible
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to post for a full-time town accountant subject to review of job description as soon as possible. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to post for a full-time town accountant subject to review of job description as soon as possible. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Approve the town hall fire suppression project from ImpactFire for $39,323.50 as voted at Town Meeting, subject to review by Town Counsel
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the town hall fire suppression project from ImpactFire for $39,323.50 as voted at Town Meeting, subject to review by Town Counsel. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the town hall fire suppression project from ImpactFire for $39,323.50 as voted at Town Meeting, subject to review by Town Counsel. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Approve the contract from Arsenault and Sons for the Town Hall painting and repair project with funds to come from capital and the facilities budget for an amount of $68,900, subject to review of...
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the contract from Arsenault and Sons for the Town Hall painting and repair project with funds to come from capital and the facilities budget for an amount of $68,900, subject to review of all disclosures and with other bids available for review and subject to Town Counsel review. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the contract from Arsenault and Sons for the Town Hall painting and repair project with funds to come from capital and the facilities budget for an amount of $68,900, subject to review of all disclosures and with other bids available for review and subject to Town Counsel review. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Set the FY26 goals for the Town Administrator as: 1) Budget process, 2) Restructuring with DPW, 3) Exploring regionalization of services, and 4) Evaluating HR resources for FY27, with secondary...
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to set the FY26 goals for the Town Administrator as: 1) Budget process, 2) Restructuring with DPW, 3) Exploring regionalization of services, and 4) Evaluating HR resources for FY27, with secondary goals being to review policies and communications. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to set the FY26 goals for the Town Administrator as: 1) Budget process, 2) Restructuring with DPW, 3) Exploring regionalization of services, and 4) Evaluating HR resources for FY27, with secondary goals being to review policies and communications. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
5.5 Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Review and pay payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to review and pay payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to review and pay payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Second: Veronica Kell Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Enter Executive Session: @ 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 for the Clerical...
Motion was made at 9:31 PM by Chair Shifrin and seconded by Vice-Chair Kell to enter Executive Session: @ 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 for the Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, Highway/Water Union, Police Union, and Fire Union and ® To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel (Town Administrator) and to adjourn from Executive Session. Roll call vote was unanimous.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was made at 9:31 PM by Chair Shifrin and seconded by Vice-Chair Kell to enter Executive Session: @ 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 for the Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, Highway/Water Union, Police Union, and Fire Union and ® To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel (Town Administrator) and to adjourn from Executive Session. Roll call vote was unanimous..” (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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