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Board of Selectmen 3/11/2025
(Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy)
A seemingly routine Raynham Select Board meeting transformed into a moment of meaningful reflection when board member Pat Riley proposed changing all references to "Board of Selectmen" in town bylaws to the gender-neutral "Select Board." The proposal resonated deeply against the backdrop of Raynham's approaching 300th anniversary and the stark reality that only three women have served on the board throughout its entire history—"a little better than an average of one a century," as Riley poignantly noted.
This small but significant proposal sparked immediate support from fellow board members. Ken Collins, described it as "well overdue." The discussion acknowledged that while Raynham faces many pressing issues, this inclusive language change could potentially inspire future generations of young women to envision themselves in local leadership roles. The timing feels particularly appropriate, with Pat Riley noting that the Massachusetts Municipal Association now refers to these bodies as Select Boards, reflecting a broader shift happening across Commonwealth communities.
Beyond this forward-looking proposal, the meeting covered essential town business including fire department statistics showing a 55% increase in calls year-over-year, approval of license requests, and numerous community announcements. Board members highlighted upcoming library book sales, a new Book Club, and Senior Center events, while also recognizing State Representative Dennis Gallagher for his visible presence in the community through office hours and participation in local events. As Raynham prepares to celebrate three centuries of history, this meeting demonstrated how even small governance changes can reflect evolving values while honoring longstanding traditions.
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Good evening. Good evening. Call to meet. The new order at 7 pm. Inform the public of being broadcast live and recorded by the Rainham Channel. I would ask those with us to join us in the pledge, please Thank you. I will now entertain a motion to approve the amendment to February 26th and March 4th and the executive session minutes withheld to public release on February 25th.
Speaker 2:I'll make that motion to accept all those in favor.
Speaker 1:Second that motion. All in favor Aye. Second that motion All in favor, aye, approved unanimously. Department has our fire chief as part of a mutual aid response to Middleborough. For folks who have seen the news, you've seen that the lodge and that's probably going on in the I do have his report calls for February 64th Ambulance calls 2966. Miscellaneous called 175. Uh, it's a 55 all increase here over the year from 24 to 25. So far in 2025 307 calls. Uh incidents, excuse me, and there are six. Four sick firefighters out for a total of 76 sick hours. Firefighters out for a total of 76 sick hours. No appointments this evening. No public hearings old business, miss reilly, I have none. And mr collins, new business refers section 3a overlay article with planning board uh any zoning?
Speaker 1:articles, we have to refer formally to the planning board.
Speaker 2:That is what this does I make the motion to this does all the favor unanimously.
Speaker 1:We need to set a hearing date for Chili for a change of manager. That would be so much. All in favor. That is approved. Approval of a one-day beer wine license for two jerks at one colony August 23rd and. We did receive correspondence from POC and REC stating that they have unanimously approved that request.
Speaker 2:I make that motion to approve.
Speaker 1:I'm sorry, all in favor. Aye, that is approved Any other new business.
Speaker 2:I actually have something I'd like to propose an article for the annual town meeting. I'm going to bring this up it's obviously not on the agenda, so just to take it under advisement and refer it to our town administrator changing the words board selectmen and selectmen to select board and members of the select board respectively, whenever they appear in the bylaws and to make such other changes as are necessary to engage references to, say, board gender neutral or take any action relative thereto. This has been brought up to me a few times. I did have a resident actually offer to do a citizen's petition, but I think it would be good for for us to take the lead on that. And it really sort of hit home to me because I saw advertised the Massachusetts Association of School Communities is having a program webinar and it's being sponsored by the Massachusetts Select Board Association.
Speaker 2:So if MAC is already referring to the boards as select boards, I think most of the communities in Massachusetts that have select members refer to it as select board. And you know we have so many important things going on. It's not really, you know that consequential, but when you stop to think that in six years radium is the ton of rain is going to be celebrating its 300 anniversary and in three and one of the first things that happened when the town became a town was they established a war so that we remember voice selectmen and in the almost 300 years we have actually had three women serve on the board. I think we do a little better than an average of one a century, so maybe it'll inspire some young girls out there to want to get involved. So I make that again just as a motion to take that in your place.
Speaker 1:Sure. Thank you, any new business, mr Collins. No new business, but I fully support those plans Well overdue. Thank you, any business, mister?
Speaker 3:yes, uh, last week, uh, I've had ministration as well as bridgewater officials of the uh school budget. Some detail A little inhibited and I was sick at the time, but nevertheless, thank God for Zoom, I was able to do that and I should note that there will be a public hearing on the school budget at the school committee meeting tomorrow. I believe it's at 7 and I do plan on attend and I know at least one of the board members will be attending as well that's it correct.
Speaker 1:That's it correct. Any questions? No questions.
Speaker 2:Mr Westman. I would like to thank State Representative Dennis Gallagher for holding office hours at our town hall on Monday morning. He had some residents from Gritoire, some from Rainham stop by and meet with him, as well as some town officials. I know Mr Collins was there prior to my arriving and he said he will be back in June to hold office hours here once again. In the meantime he said he is willing to meet with any of his constituents at any time Between attending meetings both one of our select board meetings and the Bridgewater-Rainey School Budget hearing and participating as one of our celebrity guest greeters for Read Across America. I would say Representative Gallagher is off to a great start representing our community at the statehouse and maintain the visible presence in the district, so I want to thank you for that.
Speaker 2:Also. The Friends of the Rainium Library will be holding their annual spring book sale and you can help their fundraising effort and have any books to donate. Drop off donations on Saturday March 22nd from 10 to 4, monday March 24th from 10 to 8 or Tuesday March 25th from 10 to 4, monday March 24th from 10 to 8, or Tuesday March 25th from 10 to 8. The public sale will take place Thursday, march 27th from 10 to 8, friday March 28th from 10 to 4, and Saturday March 29th from 10 to 4. The library is also starting a very interesting new book club. It's called the Armchair Traveler Book Club and they'll explore the world through the magic of books.
Speaker 2:The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, march 18th at 10 30 am, when the first stop will be. France is seen through the champagne letters by Kate McIntosh. Welcome to attend. Please register online or stop by the library. And one last thing the Senior Center has announced that the popular Senior Lunch and Bingo event this month will be held on Wednesday March 19th at 11 am at the Lions Club located across the street from the Senior Center, due to the bathroom renovations going on at the Senior Center. And speaking of friends group, the Senior Center Councilman HM has been trying to get friends of the Senior Center going and they have a small group that's starting to meet. So anybody that's interested in supporting our Senior Center, they will be meeting actually this Thursday and the second Thursday every month at three o'clock at the Senior Center. So anyone who's interested in supporting their effort should stop by.
Speaker 1:Thank you, ms Brown, ms Collins, I go Great. No press time emergency business. Ms Riley, I have none. Mr Collins, sure Citizens and community and platform Great performance in the administrative units, ms Riley.
Speaker 2:Just to mention that I have reviewed and signed the RBM invoice and payroll warrants made into today, March 11, 2025.
Speaker 1:Thank you. At this time I'll entertain a motion to head into executive session Master Underlaws, Chapter 38, Section 21A, 2 and 3, to conduct strategy sessions and preparations and negotiations with non-union personnel. I'd like to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel. Would it conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation? If an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining and litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares non-union employees and OPIU, we will reconvene in a public session for the singular purpose of adjournment.
Speaker 2:I'll make that motion.
Speaker 1:Second Enrollments Riley Aye. Mr Collins Aye. Chair votes aye. We are recessing to executive session. Have a good evening.