MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Joint meeting
November 19, 2025
13 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your Townsend ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
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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 November 5, 2025
Motion by Valerie Goodrich to approve the meeting minutes for November 5, 2025. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich to approve the meeting minutes for November 5, 2025. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Adjourn
Valerie Goodrich moved to adjourn the Selectboard joint meeting with the Finance Committee, this was seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote Laura Shifrin aye, Veronica Kell aye, Valerie Goodrich aye.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved to adjourn the Selectboard joint meeting with the Finance Committee, this was seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote Laura Shifrin aye, Veronica Kell aye, Valerie Goodrich aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
3.1 Appoint Kim Greenough to the Community Preservation Committee
Appoint Kim Greenough to the Community Preservation Committee effective 11/19/2025 until 06/30/2028
Motion by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Kim Greenough to the Community Preservation Committee effective 11/19/2025 until 06/30/2028. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Kim Greenough to the Community Preservation Committee effective 11/19/2025 until 06/30/2028. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
3.2 Appoint Dawn Priest to the Commission on Disability
Appoint Dawn Priest to the Commission on Disability effective 11/19/2025 until 06/30/2028
Motion by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Dawn Priest to the Commission on Disability effective 11/19/2025 until 06/30/2028. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Discussion included Member Kell expressing concern about the appointment based on observations of verbal communication skills. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (abstain), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried.
Yes: Goodrich, ShifrinAbstained: Kell
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Dawn Priest to the Commission on Disability effective 11/19/2025 until 06/30/2028. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Discussion included Member Kell expressing concern about the appointment based on observations of verbal communication skills. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (abstain), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
3.3 Appoint Jonathan Kinney to the Townsend Fire-EMS department
Appoint Jonathan Kinney to the Townsend Fire-EMS department as per-diem Firefighter-Paramedic with effective start date 12/1/2025 contingent upon successful completion of all employment requirements
Motion by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Jonathan Kinney to the Townsend Fire-EMS department as per-diem Firefighter-Paramedic with effective start date 12/1/2025 contingent upon successful completion of all employment requirements. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Jonathan Kinney to the Townsend Fire-EMS department as per-diem Firefighter-Paramedic with effective start date 12/1/2025 contingent upon successful completion of all employment requirements. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
3.4 Appoint Jason Borneman to the Townsend Fire-EMS department
Appoint Jason Borneman to the Townsend Fire-EMS department as per-diem Firefighter-EMT-B with effective start date 12/15/2025 contingent upon successful completion of all employment requirements
Motion by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Jason Borneman to the Townsend Fire-EMS department as per-diem Firefighter-EMT-B with effective start date 12/15/2025 contingent upon successful completion of all employment requirements. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Jason Borneman to the Townsend Fire-EMS department as per-diem Firefighter-EMT-B with effective start date 12/15/2025 contingent upon successful completion of all employment requirements. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
3.5 Appoint Cathal Wells to the Townsend Fire-EMS department
Appoint Cathal Wells to the Townsend Fire-EMS department as fulltime Firefighter- EMT-B with effective start date 12/15/2025 contingent upon successful completion of all employment requirements
Motion by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Cathal Wells to the Townsend Fire-EMS department as fulltime Firefighter- EMT-B with effective start date 12/15/2025 contingent upon successful completion of all employment requirements. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Chair Shifrin noted this appointment was to fill a vacancy with no additional budget impact. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich to appoint Cathal Wells to the Townsend Fire-EMS department as fulltime Firefighter- EMT-B with effective start date 12/15/2025 contingent upon successful completion of all employment requirements. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Chair Shifrin noted this appointment was to fill a vacancy with no additional budget impact. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Add a request for a 50-year lease for TAYSA to the next special town meeting
Motion by Valerie Goodrich to add a request for a 50-year lease for TAYSA to the next special town meeting. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich to add a request for a 50-year lease for TAYSA to the next special town meeting. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.3 Ratification of side letter with Police Union for detail pay rate
Ratify the side letter with the union for detail pay rate
Motion by Valerie Goodrich to ratify the side letter with the union for detail pay rate. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich to ratify the side letter with the union for detail pay rate. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Postpone items 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 to December 2, 2025 unless included in a meeting called prior to this meeting
Motion by Valerie Goodrich to postpone items 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 to December 2, 2025 unless included in a meeting called prior to this meeting. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich to postpone items 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 to December 2, 2025 unless included in a meeting called prior to this meeting. Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
6.5 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 to 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 unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion by Valerie Goodrich to 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 unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
7.1 Executive Session - Town Administrator
Enter into Executive Session at 6:56 PM and adjourn from Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations...
Motion by Laura Shifrin to enter into Executive Session at 6:56 PM and adjourn from Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Town Administrator). Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion by Laura Shifrin to enter into Executive Session at 6:56 PM and adjourn from Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Town Administrator). Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Shifrin, second: Kell)
7.2 Executive Session (4:10) - Fire Chief
Enter into Executive Session at 4:14 PM pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and contract...
Motion by Laura Shifrin to enter into Executive Session at 4:14 PM pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Fire Chief). Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion by Laura Shifrin to enter into Executive Session at 4:14 PM pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Fire Chief). Seconded by Veronica Kell. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell (aye), Valerie Goodrich (aye), Laura Shifrin (aye). Motion carried 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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