MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
September 30, 2025
9 recorded votes, 2 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
The Board approve the meeting minutes for 02/25/2025, 02/27/2025, 03/01/2025, 04/09/2025, and 04/16/2025
Valerie Goodrich moved that the Board approve the meeting minutes for 02/25/2025, 02/27/2025, 03/01/2025, 04/09/2025, and 04/16/2025. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Valerie Goodrich abstained as she was not on the Board, Laura Shifrin - aye, Veronica Kell - aye. Motion carried.
Yes: Kell, ShifrinAbstained: Goodrich
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved that the Board approve the meeting minutes for 02/25/2025, 02/27/2025, 03/01/2025, 04/09/2025, and 04/16/2025. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Valerie Goodrich abstained as she was not on the Board, Laura Shifrin - aye, Veronica Kell - aye. Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
The Board approve the meeting minutes for 04/29/2025, 04/29/2025 Executive Session, 05/20/2025, 05/22/2025, 05/23/2025, 06/03/2025, 06/10/2025, 06/17/2025, 06/18/2025, 06/24/2025, 07/01/2025,...
Valerie Goodrich moved that the Board approve the meeting minutes for 04/29/2025, 04/29/2025 Executive Session, 05/20/2025, 05/22/2025, 05/23/2025, 06/03/2025, 06/10/2025, 06/17/2025, 06/18/2025, 06/24/2025, 07/01/2025, 09/02/2025, and 09/18/2025, with changes to the 06/24/2025 minutes regarding ARPA funds discussion as noted by Veronica Kell. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved that the Board approve the meeting minutes for 04/29/2025, 04/29/2025 Executive Session, 05/20/2025, 05/22/2025, 05/23/2025, 06/03/2025, 06/10/2025, 06/17/2025, 06/18/2025, 06/24/2025, 07/01/2025, 09/02/2025, and 09/18/2025, with changes to the 06/24/2025 minutes regarding ARPA funds discussion as noted by Veronica Kell. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Release the minutes from the April 29, 2025 Selectboard Executive Session pursuant to the September 16, 2025 Open Meeting Law determination of the Office of Attorney General and to authorize Town...
Valerie Goodrich moved to release the minutes from the April 29, 2025 Selectboard Executive Session pursuant to the September 16, 2025 Open Meeting Law determination of the Office of Attorney General and to authorize Town Counsel to notify the Office of Attorney General of the release of these minutes. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved to release the minutes from the April 29, 2025 Selectboard Executive Session pursuant to the September 16, 2025 Open Meeting Law determination of the Office of Attorney General and to authorize Town Counsel to notify the Office of Attorney General of the release of these minutes. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
3.1 Appoint Cindy King to the Commission on Disability effective
Appoint Cindy King to the Commission on Disability effective 09/30/2025 until 06/30/2028
Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Cindy King to the Commission on Disability effective 09/30/2025 until 06/30/2028. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Cindy King to the Commission on Disability effective 09/30/2025 until 06/30/2028. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
The Board provide access to the meeting minutes as requested in the Open Meeting Law request from the opening of the Library Senior Center until September 2022 for research into a discussion
Valerie Goodrich moved that the Board provide access to the meeting minutes as requested in the Open Meeting Law request from the opening of the Library Senior Center until September 2022 for research into a discussion. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved that the Board provide access to the meeting minutes as requested in the Open Meeting Law request from the opening of the Library Senior Center until September 2022 for research into a discussion. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Accept the TAYSA lease effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028
Valerie Goodrich moved to accept the TAYSA lease effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved to accept the TAYSA lease effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Accept Highway's request to increase plow contractor rates for the upcoming winter
Valerie Goodrich moved to accept Highway's request to increase plow contractor rates for the upcoming winter. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - no, Valerie Goodrich - yes, Laura Shifrin - no. Motion failed.
Yes: GoodrichNo: Kell, Shifrin
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved to accept Highway's request to increase plow contractor rates for the upcoming winter. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - no, Valerie Goodrich - yes, Laura Shifrin - no. Motion failed..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
The Board review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Valerie Goodrich moved that the Board review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved that the Board review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
6.1 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter
Enter into Executive Session at 11:13 AM and adjourn from Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A Section 21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if...
Laura Shifrin moved to enter into Executive Session at 11:13 AM and 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, in reference to Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, Highway/Water Union, Police Union, and Fire Union. Laura Shifrin, as Chair, so declared. Seconded by Valerie Goodrich. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried.
From the minutes
“Laura Shifrin moved to enter into Executive Session at 11:13 AM and 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, in reference to Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, Highway/Water Union, Police Union, and Fire Union. Laura Shifrin, as Chair, so declared. Seconded by Valerie Goodrich. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried..” (Motion: Shifrin, 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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