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The Raynham Channel
Board of Selectmen 3/25/2025
(Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy)
When small-town governance meets real-world challenges, the results can be surprisingly fascinating. The Raynham municipal meeting offers a window into how local officials navigate everything from infrastructure improvements to budget constraints while maintaining essential community services.
During the Highway Department's update, we learned about ongoing construction projects, winter weather damage repairs, and upcoming services including the brush pile opening and hazardous waste collection day. These practical matters affect residents' daily lives, from road safety to waste disposal options. Meanwhile, the Library Director shared impressive innovations to better serve the community, including relocating the large print collection to accommodate mobility-challenged patrons and repurposing vintage card catalogs into charming display pieces. The children's "Reading Dragons" program has proven so wildly popular they're considering extending it through summer, demonstrating how creative programming can boost community engagement.
The meeting takes a more serious turn when discussing the looming school budget challenge. Representatives report that the gap between what the town can provide and what the schools need will likely require override votes in both Raynham and Bridgewater. This process will involve town meetings, council votes, and special elections—democracy in action at the local level where decisions directly impact educational resources. Other business includes approving seasonal outdoor seating for a local restaurant, granting liquor licenses, and scheduling hearing dates—the nuts and bolts of community oversight that ensures businesses operate within established guidelines. The meeting wraps with an announcement of a grant for a Riverfront access feasibility study, showcasing how officials continuously seek ways to enhance community resources. Want to see your tax dollars at work? Consider attending the next municipal meeting where your voice can help shape these important decisions.
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All right, good evening. Everybody. Call the meeting to order at 7 pm. Inform the public we're being both broadcast live and recorded by the Rainham Channel and I would ask those with us in the audience to join us in the pledge, please.
Speaker 2:I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God ind municipal and the community and justice for all.
Speaker 1:I will entertain a motion to accept the minutes from March 18. I make a motion to approve the minutes as printed.
Speaker 3:Second All in favor.
Speaker 1:Aye, that's approved unanimously the department heads, norm Stern, and our highway superintendent.
Speaker 4:Norm. Good evening. I have some updates from the highway department for the month of March. Parking grounds have been busy with the field project we had at the clock field at the Borden Colony, which is almost done. That's going to be a nice add for that complex Perform, some fence repairs and tree trimming around the fields over the winter and getting ready for a very busy upcoming growing season. Solid waste we were fortunate enough to get a grant through the MassDEP and we received that grant for batteries and bulb sheds. So we're going to be storing some lithium batteries and some bulbs in there. We also have a. We solved an issue we had last month with some tanks. This month it looks like it's going to be the flare, so we're working on some remedies for that. Road crews have been busy with road repairs, potholes After a very damaging winter. It wasn't a bad winter, but with the thaw and the refreeze we've got quite a few potholes out there. They're also cutting around the memorial bridges and clearing some waterways, especially during the flooding we had with those heavy rains.
Speaker 4:They also had a storm cleanup around March 10th, cleaned up, chipped some brush around town for that. What else we got? Project update Mill Street's about ready to kick off again, probably about the middle of April or so. Tmlp has finished moving their wires so we're just waiting on Verizon and Comcast to finish that up and then TMLP will pluck the poles. We also had a guardrail installed over at the East Britannia Curves over by Rose's Junkyard. That was completed yesterday. So that's all set now. We met with some contractors for some resurfacing jobs that we have around town again due to the winter and living in New England. Last but not least, I just wanted to remind folks that the brush pile will be opening up on Saturday, April 5th, and that's also our biannual hazardous waste day.
Speaker 3:And that is all I have thank you, miss Riley you'll put on the website information about the hazardous waste are you on there?
Speaker 4:yes, thank you and thanks for everything thank you, thank you, appreciate it, except without library director camera, brian, thank you, appreciate it. Next up is our Library Director Karen O'Brien.
Speaker 1:Karen, Hi everyone, Nice to see you all again.
Speaker 2:It's been a little bit because I missed you all in January, so a little longer than usual. The past few months we have completed our water diversion project to get all the water away from the building that has been damaging the interior. So I just want to thank the board and Greg of course, for contributing monetarily to that project and recognizing the importance of keeping our little library building safe and clean from water damage. We are breathing fresh air now and you can hardly notice it at all when you walk into the building, so it was money well spent For the general public. Please come by and visit us because we have moved a big, huge collection. Now that our construction project is done, our entire large print collection is now located at the top of the stairs and our nonfiction collection has been moved to the back with the fiction, and the reason we did that is to make the large print area far more accessible for our less mobile patrons. So hopefully they'll be excited to see that change.
Speaker 2:I don't know if you remember a while back I had mentioned I found a couple of the original old card catalogs in the attic, all covered in dust and grime. I hired Mass Corps to refinish them and build tables. So those little card catalogs they're about this big are now on display in the adult area and the children's area. So they can see the card catalogs and pull the drawers and we're going to fill it full of little treasures. So that's pretty exciting. I think, honestly, people my age appreciate it more than the kids do.
Speaker 2:But the kids have fun pulling the drawers open. The staff has been busy taking advantage of various training opportunities webinars, roundtables to stay relevant in the field. They've done some catalog training. Youth services, our children's librarian has been in all day seminars. They're doing collection training on new platforms and I am doing a staff-wide training on dementia friendly training next month. So hopefully that will be super beneficial because the more skills we have to deal with the public, the better.
Speaker 2:Some news from the friends they did a January raffle basket for us and I think they raised over a thousand dollars. They can correct and I think they raised over $1,000. They can correct me if I'm wrong. I also gave a presentation to the Friends back in January just to update them and keep them informed on how the libraries run, where our finances come from, my responsibilities, the Board of Library Trustees responsibilities. I don't think that they had that kind of presentation in many, many, many years and with us becoming a town department the past few years there have been a lot of changes. So they were informed about that.
Speaker 2:And our much-anticipated book sale Friends of the Library book sale is going to be happening starting Wednesday. We have the member preview on Wednesday and the rest of the sale is Thursday, friday and Saturday, so everybody come on down and buy books to support the library. We have a couple of programs going on right now. The Mass Center for the Book Challenge will be going on all year. Every month we have a new theme and we have a table on display for everybody to come in and see.
Speaker 2:And then our children's librarian, jessie, did this tremendous project called the Reading Dragons Reading Challenge. It's for kids to come in and read and they collect trading cards that have dragons and mythical creatures on them. It has been insanely popular. The kids cannot get enough of it. We were going to stop it in May, but I think we actually might continue it through the summer. So get your kids down there to get their dragon cards.
Speaker 2:We also did some programming to support it so they're really enjoying the dragon tournaments that we're holding on Saturdays. And a couple of things we have coming up we are doing an estate planning seminar with Michael Graff, a local financial planner. We're also going to be planning a books in bloom that the community can participate in, so you create a flower display with plants based on a book theme, which is going to be really neat that we may have on display inside as well as outside the library, and April Vacation will bring baby farm animals again, because it's such a popular program, and we're also going to have a giant, life-size inflatable whale that you can walk into and learn all about whale and dolphin conservation. So visit our website for up-to-date stuff, and I think that's all we have going on. Anybody have any questions?
Speaker 3:You always have so many things going on I always try to look at your newsletter. I want to thank you and the library for all the help getting all the books that we needed for Read Across America.
Speaker 5:Oh yeah.
Speaker 3:Especially the children's librarian, Jessie McKinney. She was a great help, so thank you. That's awesome. I'm glad to hear it.
Speaker 1:Mr Cobb the book sale is it tomorrow through Saturday so?
Speaker 2:Wednesday is the member preview. So if you're a member of the Friends of the Library, for ten small dollars a little money gets you a lot you get the member preview and get the first glance, and then it's open to the public on Thursday, friday and Saturday. So yay, thank you, karen. You're welcome. You guys have a nice evening you too, thank you Great.
Speaker 1:no appointments tonight. We have hearings one. All that to order at 707. It's Pepper Dining Incorporated DBA Chili's Bar and Grill, 500 South Street West. Change your manager to Anderson Colombo, counselor, how are you Good?
Speaker 5:how are you?
Speaker 1:Good, nice to see you again.
Speaker 5:Nice to see you. I'm Elizabeth Pisano from Upton Connell and Devlin, on behalf of the licensee. With me is Anderson Colombo. He is the proposed manager of record at Chili's. Anderson is a US citizen, a Massachusetts resident, and is familiar with the rules and regulations relating to the sale of alcohol. He has over 10 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. Prior to coming to Chili's, he worked at Longhorn Steakhouse, where he was also the liquor license manager. So he does have experience being a named manager on record and I'm happy to answer any questions that you have. Thank you, ms Riley.
Speaker 1:I have no questions, ms Collins. No questions.
Speaker 6:No questions, Thank you.
Speaker 1:Counselor, it is a public hearing. Is there anybody from the public who would like to offer any input? Seeing none. What is the Board's?
Speaker 3:pleasure, I will make a motion to approve.
Speaker 5:All in favor? Aye, it favor. Thank you very much. Have a great night.
Speaker 3:I'll close that at 7 0, 8 old business, miss Riley just if we could, on the agenda for next week, place on the agenda and the proposed article to change the name of the board of selectmen to a select board. I hit right forward but it wasn't on the agenda. So if the board wants to discuss that or recommend that, what's the decision? Sure, thank you.
Speaker 1:Ms Collins New business. We have a few items Tropical llama, request for seasonal outdoor seating. Could you state your name and address and if you want to just stay up there because you have quite a few items on the agenda? Hi, good evening, Anything you?
Speaker 6:want to just stay up there because you have quite a few items on the agenda. Hi, good evening. It's Sandra Roke. 1470 New State Highway, unit 12 for Tropical Llama.
Speaker 1:Good. Thank you, and can you just walk us through quickly? I know you had this seasonal seating last year. The application is from April 15 to October 31. How many seats is it that you're looking for?
Speaker 6:It's three of the benches of the picnic table, so it's total, I would say, six seats, six seats okay it's not sorry well, 12 seats, 12 seats.
Speaker 3:I have no questions. It looks like everything is an order, mr.
Speaker 1:Collins, bob, are you good with this? Okay, all right, I'll entertain a motion on item A.
Speaker 3:I'll make a motion to approve. All in favor. It's approved.
Speaker 1:Next one is B, a request for a special one-day alcoholic beverage license for Aladdin Night 425, 426, 59510, 523, and 524. And they're listed from 5 pm to 1 am. Greg, do you know if the police department has had a chance to offer input yet? Yes and any objections? No, okay, all right. Any questions for the applicant? I don't have any questions. Okay, all right, and I understand there were no issues at your New Year's Eve event.
Speaker 6:No, no, no, there wasn't. I am now TIP certified and I have my son also being TIP certified as my daughter, so they're all all. Two of them will be with me on these events, okay good, all right.
Speaker 1:What's the boys?
Speaker 3:pleasure all in favor all right, approved.
Speaker 1:I didn't see it to set a hearing date that would be April 8th. Any conflicts for you for April?
Speaker 6:8th? I don't think, so let me just double check real quick, because I've been getting caterings. Just bear with me one.
Speaker 1:No, that's fine, okay is motion approved all in favor aye that is approved, so we'll see you again on April 8th.
Speaker 6:Okay, thank you so much. Alright, tag day request evolution dance. What 12, 13 approved, so we'll see you again on April 8th, okay, thank?
Speaker 1:you so much. Right tag day request evolution dance. What? 12, 13, 5, 3, 5, 4? Those dates have been approved. What's the word pleasure?
Speaker 3:motion to approve all in favor.
Speaker 1:It's approved. Discussion of vote on change orders with Dora Whitney for the public safety building. There's some additional permitting and site work edits that are needed and it comes with the recommendation of the town administrator. What is the blood pleasure? All in favor unanimously discussion and vote on non union employment agreement extension for Paula Russ, a clap or a health director. It is a one-year contract extension with a 2% increase, no other changes. What is the board's?
Speaker 3:budget. Motion to approve.
Speaker 1:Second All in favor. Aye, that is approved unanimously. Next is G discussion vote and sign annual town election warrant. This is just the annual certification of the warrant of the offices that are up on April 26th. What is the board's?
Speaker 3:budget. Motion to approve.
Speaker 1:All in favor. Aye Approved unanimously. Any other new. What is the voice vote?
Speaker 3:Motion to approve All in favor Aye Unanimously Any other new business.
Speaker 1:Ms Riley, I have none, okay. Mr Collins, no, all right.
Speaker 7:Tom administrate his requirements to Barnes All right. Yes, I had mentioned last week that we had applied for a grant with the Taunton River Steering Council. I'm happy to report we did. We got awarded that grant. It's in the amount of 25,000, and it'll allow us to do a feasibility study, conceptual plan of a proposed riverfront access point near the South Street, old Colony Bridge. Thank you, anything else, greg. Access point near the South Street Old Colony Bridge. Thank you, anything else, greg. I will be attending the school committee meeting tomorrow to hear what their proposed budget will be. The budget is expected to be quite significant. Budget is expected to be quite significant. There will be an expected gap between what the town can provide using existing revenue and what the schools are asking for. Okay, thank you, ms.
Speaker 1:Riley. Any questions? No questions. Mr Baum, no questions. All right, select budget report. Ms Riley, I have a little report.
Speaker 3:I did attend last Thursday, along with Finance Committee Member Dr Prewandowski, the first meeting of the Working Group Subcommittee established by the Bridgewater Rain and Regional School Committee to deal with all the issues surrounding the school budget. Along with School Committee Members Timothy Fitzgibbons and Jessica Davenport, the two Bridgewater representatives serving on the committee include Councilors Sonia Strigles and John Loretty. Mr Loretty was not able to attend the meeting, but two other council members were in attendance, along with a couple of teachers, parents and a couple of young children. Speaking as one member of the board, I expressed my opinion that, whether we were talking about the level services budget or the superintendent's budget funding, it would require an override vote and I think that is an extremely important decision that should be made by the voters, which would have to come first at the annual town meeting and then approved there at the ballot box at a special election. As mrs Strigal's explained, bridgewater is different with their council form of government. They would need a vote of the council and then the special election. She indicated that it could possibly take place in June, as a vote in Rayham could as well. She mentioned that she was looking to have probably a town hall form meeting with the residents having their input before the council would make that decision. They do have to certify the budget or the council votes on the budget May 9th, whereas our town meeting vote is May 19th and this committee basically agreed to meet every other week to try to coordinate efforts between the school committee and the two towns and then, if anyone needs to meet additionally, coordinate efforts between the school committee and the two towns and then, if anyone needs to meet additionally with Ryan Powers, the superintendent, and they could do that and then report back. And of course, as Mr Barnes mentioned, that hearing not the hearing, but the school committee meeting approving the budget, certifying the budget will take place tomorrow night at 7 o'clock.
Speaker 3:So that's the only other thing I have is that the Bridgewater Rainham Citizens Scholarship Foundation will hold its 59th annual scholarship drive on Sunday April 6th. This is a nonprofit organization working for the benefit of Bridgewater and Rainham students who wish to pursue higher education. In the years since they formed in 1962, they've awarded $1,800,000 in scholarships to hundreds of ER graduates. Anyone who wishes to make a tax-deductible donation contribution can do so on the day of the Dollars for Scholars Drive on Sunday April 6th or send a contribution to the Bridgewater Rainham Citizens Scholarship Foundation at Post Office Box 380 in Bridgewater or go online to bridgewater-rainhamdollarsforscholarsorg.
Speaker 3:And one last thing on an interesting note I just caught the last few minutes of the Voice on NBC last night, which was at the battle rounds, and our local BR graduate, connor James, actually was on deck when I turned on for his competition and he actually was selected. So he goes on now to the knockout rounds and his coach, adam Levine, again repeated that you can see Connor going all the way, which is really exciting. So people should stay tuned because if it gets to that point, viewers vote, so we could have possibly a little bit of a celebrity.
Speaker 1:Maybe yes, Thank you. Thank you, Mr Riley. Mr Collins, Thank you. All right Correspondence. We don't have any Press time. We don't have any Emergency business, Ms Riley. I have none, mr Collins, sir, citizen and community input. I think everybody left.
Speaker 3:I'm sorry, I think you good, I'm good.
Speaker 1:All right performance of the administrative duties and at this time I'll let the motion to adjourn so moved all in favor, we are adjourned. Thank you.