MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
March 24, 2026
10 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Veronica Kell, Valerie Goodrich, Laura Shifrin
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Approve the meeting minutes of March 2, 2026 and the joint meeting of March 17, 2026
Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the meeting minutes of March 2, 2026 and the joint meeting of March 17, 2026. Veronica Kell seconded the motion but requested clarification on the March 2, 2026 minutes, noting they should specify it was a joint meeting with the Community Preservation Act committee. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the meeting minutes of March 2, 2026 and the joint meeting of March 17, 2026. Veronica Kell seconded the motion but requested clarification on the March 2, 2026 minutes, noting they should specify it was a joint meeting with the Community Preservation Act committee. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Appoint Noah Medeiros as summer intern to the water department with effective start date June 1, 2026, contingent upon completion of all necessary onboarding and approval by the finance committee
Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Noah Medeiros as summer intern to the water department with effective start date June 1, 2026, contingent upon completion of all necessary onboarding and approval by the finance committee. Veronica Kell seconded but questioned whether the start date should be June 1 or the first day of school summer break as stated in the agenda. The motion specified June 1, which matched the paperwork provided. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved to appoint Noah Medeiros as summer intern to the water department with effective start date June 1, 2026, contingent upon completion of all necessary onboarding and approval by the finance committee. Veronica Kell seconded but questioned whether the start date should be June 1 or the first day of school summer break as stated in the agenda. The motion specified June 1, which matched the paperwork provided. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
Reappoint Anna Bowen, Lucas Kazanjian, and Connor Tesini as summer interns to the water department with effective start date June 1, 2026, contingent upon completion of all necessary onboarding...
Valerie Goodrich moved to reappoint Anna Bowen, Lucas Kazanjian, and Connor Tesini as summer interns to the water department with effective start date June 1, 2026, contingent upon completion of all necessary onboarding and approval by the finance committee. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved to reappoint Anna Bowen, Lucas Kazanjian, and Connor Tesini as summer interns to the water department with effective start date June 1, 2026, contingent upon completion of all necessary onboarding and approval by the finance committee. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich)
5.3 Discuss Special Town Meeting
Open a special town meeting warrant for inside the annual town meeting for placement of the five articles (7, 8, 9, 10, and 11) that were not addressed at the March 19 special town meeting, and to...
Veronica Kell moved to open a special town meeting warrant for inside the annual town meeting for placement of the five articles (7, 8, 9, 10, and 11) that were not addressed at the March 19 special town meeting, and to close the warrant. Laura Shifrin secor.ded the motion. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Veronica Kell moved to open a special town meeting warrant for inside the annual town meeting for placement of the five articles (7, 8, 9, 10, and 11) that were not addressed at the March 19 special town meeting, and to close the warrant. Laura Shifrin secor.ded the motion. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Kell)
For Veronica Kell to attend te Mason Planning Board meeting regarding the regional impact for the excavation site and speak on behalf of the Select Board to express concerns about traffic impact...
Valerie Goodrich moved for Veronica Kell to attend te Mason Planning Board meeting regarding the regional impact for the excavation site and speak on behalf of the Select Board to express concerns about traffic impact on Townsend's roads and infrastructure. Laura Shifrin seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved for Veronica Kell to attend te Mason Planning Board meeting regarding the regional impact for the excavation site and speak on behalf of the Select Board to express concerns about traffic impact on Townsend's roads and infrastructure. Laura Shifrin seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Shifrin)
Accept the job description and job vacancy posting with the discussed changes, to be _ reviewed by the Finance Committee and posted by Friday, April 3, 2026
Veronica Kell moved to accept the job description and job vacancy posting with the discussed changes, to be _ reviewed by the Finance Committee and posted by Friday, April 3, 2026. Valerie Goodrich seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Veronica Kell moved to accept the job description and job vacancy posting with the discussed changes, to be _ reviewed by the Finance Committee and posted by Friday, April 3, 2026. Valerie Goodrich seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Kell, second: Goodrich)
5.6 Review/Approve Application for Renewal of
Approve the renewal of 2026 MJS Metals junk dealer license for MJS Metals _ through May 1, 2027
Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the renewal of 2026 MJS Metals junk dealer license for MJS Metals _ through May 1, 2027. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich moved to approve the renewal of 2026 MJS Metals junk dealer license for MJS Metals _ through May 1, 2027. Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Kell)
5.8 Town Properties Committee Report
Accept the recommendation of the Town | Properties Committee from March 9, 2026 to transfer the following properties to Conservation Commission as voted at their June 25, 2025 meeting: * Elm...
Laura Shifrin moved to accept the recommendation of the Town | Properties Committee from March 9, 2026 to transfer the following properties to Conservation Commission as voted at their June 25, 2025 meeting: * Elm Street (Parcel 17-105-0) * Off Worcester Road (Parcel 17-666-0) * Riverbank Terrace (Parcel 18-27-0) Veronica Kell seconded the motion, pending verification of the committee meeting date. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried unanimously.
From the minutes
“Laura Shifrin moved to accept the recommendation of the Town | Properties Committee from March 9, 2026 to transfer the following properties to Conservation Commission as voted at their June 25, 2025 meeting: * Elm Street (Parcel 17-105-0) * Off Worcester Road (Parcel 17-666-0) * Riverbank Terrace (Parcel 18-27-0) Veronica Kell seconded the motion, pending verification of the committee meeting date. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye. Motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Shifrin, second: Kell)
5.11 Review and Sign Payroll and Bills Payable Warrants out of Session
Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Valerie Goodrich moved to review and 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
“Valerie Goodrich moved to review and 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)
8.4 Executive Session pursuant to Open Meeting Law (Chapter
Enter into executive session at 7:35PM and adjourn from executive session pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A Section 21: (a)(2) - Strategy Sessions for Negotiations with Nonunion Personnel:...
Laura Shifrin moved to enter into executive session at 7:35PM and adjourn from executive session pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A Section 21: (a)(2) - Strategy Sessions for Negotiations with Nonunion Personnel: * Police Chief (8.1) * Nonunion Personnel (8.2), (a)(3) - Strategy with Respect to Collective Bargaining: * AFSCME Local 93 - Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, Highway/Water Union (8.3) * Police Union (8.4) Laura Shifrin declared that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body for items 8.3 and 8.4, Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye.
From the minutes
“Laura Shifrin moved to enter into executive session at 7:35PM and adjourn from executive session pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A Section 21: (a)(2) - Strategy Sessions for Negotiations with Nonunion Personnel: * Police Chief (8.1) * Nonunion Personnel (8.2), (a)(3) - Strategy with Respect to Collective Bargaining: * AFSCME Local 93 - Clerical Union, Supervisors Union, Highway/Water Union (8.3) * Police Union (8.4) Laura Shifrin declared that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body for items 8.3 and 8.4, Veronica Kell seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye..” (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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