MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
March 10, 2026
14 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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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 February 24, 2026, and March 3, 2026, with corrections noted by Sabrina
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the meeting minutes for February 24, 2026, and March 3, 2026, with corrections noted by Sabrina. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the meeting minutes for February 24, 2026, and March 3, 2026, with corrections noted by Sabrina. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Add Affordable Housing Trust trustees as special municipal employees
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to add Affordable Housing Trust trustees as special municipal employees. Veronica Kell seconded. Veronica Kell abstained from voting as she serves on the Affordable Housing Trust Board. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Abstained, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye.
Yes: Goodrich, ShifrinAbstained: Kell
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to add Affordable Housing Trust trustees as special municipal employees. Veronica Kell seconded. Veronica Kell abstained from voting as she serves on the Affordable Housing Trust Board. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Abstained, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Approve the posting for a senior center van driver to be paid through LRTA, contingent upon recommendation by the Finance Committee
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the posting for a senior center van driver to be paid through LRTA, contingent upon recommendation by the Finance Committee. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the posting for a senior center van driver to be paid through LRTA, contingent upon recommendation by the Finance Committee. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Approve the Town Administrator to draft letters of support for two grant projects for culvert replacement to be signed out of session
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the Town Administrator to draft letters of support for two grant projects for culvert replacement to be signed out of session. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the Town Administrator to draft letters of support for two grant projects for culvert replacement to be signed out of session. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Reserve a spot for Earth Day for the Select Board
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to reserve a spot for Earth Day for the Select Board. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to reserve a spot for Earth Day for the Select Board. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Approve the legal services agreement with attorney William Solomon for TCAM with the following edit: modification of section 5 to provide a funding source should the town choose to retain the PEG...
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the legal services agreement with attorney William Solomon for TCAM with the following edit: modification of section 5 to provide a funding source should the town choose to retain the PEG access consultant, and authorize the Interim Town Administrator Kieran Meehan to sign out of session on the Select Board's behalf. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the legal services agreement with attorney William Solomon for TCAM with the following edit: modification of section 5 to provide a funding source should the town choose to retain the PEG access consultant, and authorize the Interim Town Administrator Kieran Meehan to sign out of session on the Select Board's behalf. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Approve the conservation restriction concept for Squannacook Meadows as presented
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the conservation restriction concept for Squannacook Meadows as presented. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote Veronica Kell abstained as she was a member of the Conservation - Restriction Committee, Laura Shifrin aye, Valerie Goodrich aye.
Yes: Goodrich, ShifrinAbstained: Kell
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the conservation restriction concept for Squannacook Meadows as presented. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote Veronica Kell abstained as she was a member of the Conservation - Restriction Committee, Laura Shifrin aye, Valerie Goodrich aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
The Building Inspector to reset hours according to his needs, work with alternative building inspectors, and review the plan in 90 days
Motion: Valerie Goodrich Moved the Building Inspector to reset hours according to his needs, work with alternative building inspectors, and review the plan in 90 days. Veronica Kell Seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie _ Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye. unanimously.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich Moved the Building Inspector to reset hours according to his needs, work with alternative building inspectors, and review the plan in 90 days. Veronica Kell Seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie _ Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye. unanimously..” (Motion: Goodrich)
Approve the proposal for Earthlight EV charging station at the Senior Center Library parking lot and authorize interim town administrator Kieran Meehan to sign out of session on the Select Board's...
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the proposal for Earthlight EV charging station at the Senior Center Library parking lot and authorize interim town administrator Kieran Meehan to sign out of session on the Select Board's behalf. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the proposal for Earthlight EV charging station at the Senior Center Library parking lot and authorize interim town administrator Kieran Meehan to sign out of session on the Select Board's behalf. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Approve the proposal for the Earthlight EV charging station for the town hall parking lot and authorize the Interim Town Administrator Kieran Meehan to sign out of session on the Select Board's behalf
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the proposal for the Earthlight EV charging station for the town hall parking lot and authorize the Interim Town Administrator Kieran Meehan to sign out of session on the Select Board's behalf. Veronica Kell seconded. The board discussed costs, noting the library location at $5,500 versus the town hall at approximately $1,500 due to proximity to electrical connections. They discussed the potential for $50,000 grants for each location and confirmed this would qualify as infrastructure spending. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the proposal for the Earthlight EV charging station for the town hall parking lot and authorize the Interim Town Administrator Kieran Meehan to sign out of session on the Select Board's behalf. Veronica Kell seconded. The board discussed costs, noting the library location at $5,500 versus the town hall at approximately $1,500 due to proximity to electrical connections. They discussed the potential for $50,000 grants for each location and confirmed this would qualify as infrastructure spending. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Cancel the budget summit scheduled for Saturday, March 14, and request the Finance Committee to hold a joint meeting on March 17, 2026
Motion: Laura Shifrin moved to cancel the budget summit scheduled for Saturday, March 14, and request the Finance Committee to hold a joint meeting on March 17, 2026. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Laura Shifrin moved to cancel the budget summit scheduled for Saturday, March 14, and request the Finance Committee to hold a joint meeting on March 17, 2026. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye..” (Motion: Shifrin, second: Kell)
Acknowledge the proposed Fire Local 4926 MOU rescission
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to acknowledge the proposed Fire Local 4926 MOU rescission. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to acknowledge the proposed Fire Local 4926 MOU rescission. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Veronica Kell seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Valerie Goodrich moved to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Veronica Kell seconded. 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
Enter into and adjourn from executive session at 8:35PM pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A Section 21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may...
Motion: Laura Shifrin moved to enter into and adjourn from executive session at 8:35PM 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, regarding AFSCME Local 93 | Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, and Highway/Water Union. Laura Shifrin declared. Valerie Goodrich seconded. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - Aye, Valerie Goodrich - Aye, Laura Shifrin - Aye.
From the minutes
“Motion: Laura Shifrin moved to enter into and adjourn from executive session at 8:35PM 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, regarding AFSCME Local 93 | Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, and Highway/Water Union. Laura Shifrin declared. Valerie Goodrich seconded. 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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