MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
March 3, 2026
11 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Veronica Kell, Valerie Goodrich, Laura Shifrin
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Valerie Goodrich did not take part in one vote (recused or out of the room).
Every vote, in order
Approve only the meeting minutes for February 25, . 2026, tabling the February 24 minutes for further review
Motion Amendment: Valerie Goodrich amended the motion to approve only the meeting minutes for February 25, . 2026, tabling the February 24 minutes for further review. Veronica Kell seconded the amendment. Roll Call Vote on amended Motion: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shiftin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion Amendment: Valerie Goodrich amended the motion to approve only the meeting minutes for February 25, . 2026, tabling the February 24 minutes for further review. Veronica Kell seconded the amendment. Roll Call Vote on amended Motion: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shiftin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.3 Approve
Authorize the interim town administrator and labor counsel to invite AFSCME unions to the negotiating table for consideration of the FY2027 budget
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to authorize the interim town administrator and labor counsel to invite AFSCME unions to the negotiating table for consideration of the FY2027 budget. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to authorize the interim town administrator and labor counsel to invite AFSCME unions to the negotiating table for consideration of the FY2027 budget. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
4.4 MOU for Treasurer Collector Audit Representative Stipend; contract amendment
Approve the MOU for the treasurer collector audit representative to stipend contract amendment and sign out of session with signature stamp
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the MOU for the treasurer collector audit representative to stipend contract amendment and sign out of session with signature stamp. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: ' Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the MOU for the treasurer collector audit representative to stipend contract amendment and sign out of session with signature stamp. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: ' Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Name the town administrator search committee consisting of Valerie Goodrich (select board member), the library director, and the police chief
Motion: Veronica Kell moved to name the town administrator search committee consisting of Valerie Goodrich (select board member), the library director, and the police chief. Valerie Goodrich seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Veronica Kell moved to name the town administrator search committee consisting of Valerie Goodrich (select board member), the library director, and the police chief. Valerie Goodrich seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
Approve the fire department request to secure a spot for ambulance replacement contingent upon no unapproved financial obligation
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the fire department request to secure a spot for ambulance replacement contingent upon no unapproved financial obligation. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the fire department request to secure a spot for ambulance replacement contingent upon no unapproved financial obligation. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
5.2 Review/Discuss and Vote to accept the Lease agreement for Old Harbor and Old Central Fire Stations ;
Approve the Old Harbor and Old Central Fire Station lease agreements as presented
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the Old Harbor and Old Central Fire Station lease agreements as presented. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Amendment Required: During review, the board discovered only the Old Harbor Fire Station lease was available for signature. Motion Amendment: Valerie Goodrich amended the motion to approve only the Old Harbor Fire Station lease agreement. Veronica Kell seconded the amendment. Roll Call Vote on amended motion: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie. Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the Old Harbor and Old Central Fire Station lease agreements as presented. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Amendment Required: During review, the board discovered only the Old Harbor Fire Station lease was available for signature. Motion Amendment: Valerie Goodrich amended the motion to approve only the Old Harbor Fire Station lease agreement. Veronica Kell seconded the amendment. Roll Call Vote on amended motion: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie. Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
5.3 Review/Approve MOU for Highway Superintendent, AFSCME Supervisors Union
Approve the MOU for the highway superintendent
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the MOU for the highway superintendent. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the MOU for the highway superintendent. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Approve the special municipal employee list with all supporting documents from SharePoint to be posted with a cover letter agreed upon by the Town Administrator and Veronica Kell, signed out of...
Motion: Laura Shifrin moved to approve the special municipal employee list with all supporting documents from SharePoint to be posted with a cover letter agreed upon by the Town Administrator and Veronica Kell, signed out of session once agreed. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye. (Note: * Valerie Goodrich was not present for this Roll Call Vote)
Valerie Goodrich did not take part in this vote (“(Note: * Valerie Goodrich was not present for this Roll Call Vote)”) and is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Motion: Laura Shifrin moved to approve the special municipal employee list with all supporting documents from SharePoint to be posted with a cover letter agreed upon by the Town Administrator and Veronica Kell, signed out of session once agreed. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye. (Note: * Valerie Goodrich was not present for this Roll Call Vote).” (Motion: Shifrin, second: Kell)
6.5 Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
7.1 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter
At 7:05PM to enter 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...
Motion: Laura Shifrin moved at 7:05PM to enter 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. (Fite Union) Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Laura Shifrin moved at 7:05PM to enter 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. (Fite Union) Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Shifrin, second: Kell)
7.2 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter
Enter and adjourn from executive session at 8:35PM for AFSCME Local 93 Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, and Highway/Water Union collective bargaining strategy
Motion: Laura Shifrin moved to enter and adjourn from executive session at 8:35PM for AFSCME Local 93 Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, and Highway/Water Union collective bargaining strategy. Valerie Goodrich seconded the motion. Chair Shifrin announced the board would not return to regular session following this executive session. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Laura Shifrin moved to enter and adjourn from executive session at 8:35PM for AFSCME Local 93 Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, and Highway/Water Union collective bargaining strategy. Valerie Goodrich seconded the motion. Chair Shifrin announced the board would not return to regular session following this executive session. Roll Call Vote: Veronica Kell - aye; Valerie Goodrich - aye; Laura Shifrin - aye..” (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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