MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
December 8, 2025
7 recorded votes, 0 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 minutes for December 2, 2025
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the minutes for December 2, 2025. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Yes, Goodrich-Yes, Shifrin-Yes). Motion carried.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the minutes for December 2, 2025. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Yes, Goodrich-Yes, Shifrin-Yes). Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Approve the resignation of Town Administrator Nelson Mui effective Friday, January 2, 2026
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the resignation of Town Administrator Nelson Mui effective Friday, January 2, 2026. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Aye, Goodrich-Aye, Shifrin-Aye). Motion carried hence resignation was accepted.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the resignation of Town Administrator Nelson Mui effective Friday, January 2, 2026. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Aye, Goodrich-Aye, Shifrin-Aye). Motion carried hence resignation was accepted..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Form an ad hoc Town Administrator Screening Committee to be appointed in January consisting of a Selectboard member, a department head from one of the larger town departments (police, fire, or...
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to form an ad hoc Town Administrator Screening Committee to be appointed in January consisting of a Selectboard member, a department head from one of the larger town departments (police, fire, or library), and a department head from one of the smaller town departments. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Aye, Goodrich-Aye, Shifrin-Aye). Motion carried.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to form an ad hoc Town Administrator Screening Committee to be appointed in January consisting of a Selectboard member, a department head from one of the larger town departments (police, fire, or library), and a department head from one of the smaller town departments. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Aye, Goodrich-Aye, Shifrin-Aye). Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.10 Review/Discuss letter of support RE: local aid
Approve and sign a letter of support for local aid to State Senator John Cronin and State Representative Margaret Scarsdale
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve and sign a letter of support for local aid to State Senator John Cronin and State Representative Margaret Scarsdale. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Aye, Goodrich-Aye, Shifrin-Aye). Motion carried.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve and sign a letter of support for local aid to State Senator John Cronin and State Representative Margaret Scarsdale. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Aye, Goodrich-Aye, Shifrin-Aye). Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Adopt the Sustainable Purchasing Policy as read, first reading on December 2 and second reading on December 8, adopted December 8, 2025
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to adopt the Sustainable Purchasing Policy as read, first reading on December 2 and second reading on December 8, adopted December 8, 2025. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Aye, Goodrich-Aye, Shiftin-Aye). Motion carried.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to adopt the Sustainable Purchasing Policy as read, first reading on December 2 and second reading on December 8, adopted December 8, 2025. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Aye, Goodrich-Aye, Shiftin-Aye). Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
6.5 Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Review and sign payroll and base bills payable warrants out of session
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to review and sign payroll and base bills payable warrants out of session. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Aye, Goodrich-Aye, Shifrin-Aye). Motion carried.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to review and sign payroll and base bills payable warrants out of session. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Aye, Goodrich-Aye, Shifrin-Aye). Motion carried..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
7.7 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter
At 4:33PM to enter into Executive Sessions and to adjourn from Executive Sessions as follows: 7.1 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter 30A Section 21 (a)(2)) - To conduct...
Motion: Laura Shifrin moved at 4:33PM to enter into Executive Sessions and to adjourn from Executive Sessions as follows: 7.1 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter 30A Section 21 (a)(2)) - To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Interim Town Administrator) 7.2 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. (Fire Union) Chair Laura Shifrin so declared. 7.3 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. (Police Union) Chair Laura Shifrin so declared. 7.4 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter 30A Section 21 (a)(3)) - To discuss strategy with respect to litigation, namely RFS Corp. v. Town of Townsend, Middlesex Superior Court Docket No. 2581CV02381, where an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Board and the Chair so declares. Chair Laura Shifrin so declared. 4 7.5 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) 7.6 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. (AFSCME Local 93) Chair Laura Shifrin so declared. 7.7 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter 30A Section 21 (a)(2)) - To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Police Chief). Veronica Kell seconded. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Aye, Goodrich-Aye, Shifrin-Aye). Motion carried
From the minutes
“Motion: Laura Shifrin moved at 4:33PM to enter into Executive Sessions and to adjourn from Executive Sessions as follows: 7.1 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter 30A Section 21 (a)(2)) - To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Interim Town Administrator) 7.2 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. (Fire Union) Chair Laura Shifrin so declared. 7.3 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. (Police Union) Chair Laura Shifrin so declared. 7.4 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter 30A Section 21 (a)(3)) - To discuss strategy with respect to litigation, namely RFS Corp. v. Town of Townsend, Middlesex Superior Court Docket No. 2581CV02381, where an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Board and the Chair so declares. Chair Laura Shifrin so declared. 4 7.5 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) 7.6 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. (AFSCME Local 93) Chair Laura Shifrin so declared. 7.7 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter 30A Section 21 (a)(2)) - To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Police Chief). Veronica Kell seconded. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 (Kell-Aye, Goodrich-Aye, Shifrin-Aye). Motion carried.” (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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