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The Raynham Channel
Board of Selectmen 04/22/2025
(Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy)
Democracy in action took center stage at this week's board meeting, where town officials navigated the delicate balance between fiscal responsibility and community needs. A highlight was the thoughtful clarification regarding the board's position on school funding. Contrary to characterizations by some as an "ill-intended request by a small group," board member Riley emphasized their commitment to schools while advocating for transparent democratic processes that give all voters a voice in financial decisions.
The meeting showcased local government responding to unexpected challenges, with the board approving an interim veterans agent appointment to fill a critical gap created by an unfortunate accident. This compassionate, practical response demonstrates how town governance adapts to serve vulnerable populations even amid disruption. Similarly, the approval of a lateral transfer for a new police officer reflects ongoing efforts to maintain public safety services with qualified personnel.
Looking forward, the community calendar fills with significant events, including Saturday's town election and the colorful Songkran Festival at the Buddhist Meditation Center—a celebration of Thai New Year featuring ceremonies, entertainment, and cultural displays. These parallel events highlight Raynham's evolving identity as a community that honors both democratic traditions and cultural diversity. The meeting also recognized the 95th anniversary of Raynham's first Girl Scout troop, connecting present-day civic engagement with the town's rich history of community service.
Whether you're concerned about school funding, curious about land use decisions, or looking to participate in upcoming community events, this meeting recap provides essential context for staying informed about the decisions shaping our town's future. Check out the full recording to witness local democracy in action, and don't forget to vote this Saturday at Raynham Middle School between 10am and 8pm.
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All right, good evening. Call the meeting to order at 7 pm. Inform the public we are being both broadcast live and recorded by the Rainham Channel. I would ask those in the audience to join us in the pledge, please. Thank you. I'll entertain a motion to accept the minutes from April 15.
Speaker 2:A motion to accept the minutes as printed.
Speaker 1:All in favor. Aye Approved no department heads Appointments. We have two Norm Sturdivant as our JTPG rep, and Greg Barnes is our alternate.
Speaker 2:What's the board's pleasure?
Speaker 1:motion to appoint both of those are made. No other appointments, no hearings this evening. Old business, miss Riley.
Speaker 2:I just want to report to the board. As you may recall, at our April 8th meeting we voted to send a letter from the board to the board. As you may recall, at our April 8th meeting we voted to send a letter from the board to the school committee asking them to commit to honoring the decision of the voters at a special election on a proposition two-and-a-half override if such a special election is held, and to commit that they would take the possibility of a district-wide meeting off the table if an override vote should fail. We've been referring to it as a joint town meeting but I think actually it's technically it's called a district-wide meeting. The concept is the same, with the meeting open to registered voters from Bridgewater and Rainham. According to state law, the Regional School Committee does have that legal right to call for the district-wide meeting. Main problem obviously with such a district-wide meeting would be if the voters happen to say no at a proposition two and a half override election, then we don't have the funds to to support that budget should it then get passed at a regional district town meeting. There were only five members of the board there so they tabled. It can understand that they didn't have a full complement and also they've got two new members that will be coming on after the election.
Speaker 2:But the only thing I did take exception to is the couple of comments that were made by two representatives of the Bridgewater Random Education Association characterizing it as an ill-intended request by a small group that doesn't want to have to make difficult decisions ASSOCIATION. Characterizing IT AS AN ILL-INTENDED REQUEST BY A SMALL GROUP THAT DOESN'T WANT TO HAVE TO MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS. And OBVIOUSLY THAT WAS NOT THE INTENT. As I STATED INITIALLY, our BOARD FULLY SUPPORTS OUR SCHOOLS. We want what's best for our school children. It's just a belief that the voters, and all the voters, should have an opportunity to vote on that and that's where the case should be made if it goes to a ballot vote. And obviously I think the intent of it was to send a signal that our towns and our school committee are working together for what's best for our schools and our students, but also for our community. So I just wanted to clarify that, thank you.
Speaker 1:Thank you, ms. Thank you, mr Collins. Any business right, a new business discussion and vote a non-union employment agreement with Chris Buckley, interim veterans agent. As the bullet and I presume most of the public is aware, our veterans agent was involved in a significant motor vehicle accident and he has been out as a result. In an executive session, we appointed chris buckley to the part-time interim position to assist during this period and this is just to ratify the contract, which is, as of right now, through may 31st, for 640 dollars per month I make a motion to accept for $640 per month.
Speaker 1:We have correspondence from Heidi Doherty. It's listed as a resignation but it's not really a resignation. She's indicating to us that she does not plan to seek reappointment in June when her term expires. How, you've been on the board for a few years now. I know a valued member of that board and I would entertain a motion to extend a letter of appreciation to Heidi for her. All in favor, unanimously. Greyhound package store. We had approved this transfer. The ABCC made a what I would consider to be a clerical change to it and we just need to sign off on that. My understanding from Greg is there's no issues or concerns and he would recommend a ratification of that.
Speaker 2:I'll make that motion.
Speaker 1:All in favor. Aye, that's approved unanimously. Discussion and vote on ratifying the lateral transfer of a police officer. Our police chief has extended a conditional offer of employmentifying a lateral transfer of a police officer. Our police chief has extended a conditional offer of employment for a lateral transfer to Tyler Petrowitz. He's a Worcester police officer looking to do a lateral transfer to our department and, pending a background check, medical exam and a sign-off, which is part of the process, his appointment would take effect. What is the board's pleasure?
Speaker 2:Motion to approve.
Speaker 1:All in favor. Aye Approved unanimously Any other new business Ms Riley. Aye Mr Collins. Aye All right Time Administrators report Mr Barnes.
Speaker 3:Yes, today.
Speaker 3:I met with DCAM that's, the state agency in the Mass, the state agency and the Mass Department of Agriculture regarding the proposed land trades and also talking about encroachment issues involving Borden Colony. I thought it was a productive meeting. We had a number of our key department heads there as well. Key department heads there as well. They will be getting back with a list of issues to address, but I thought it was very productive and they were very grateful for the fact that we were all there to answer their questions. Anything else, greg, and finally, I've been working on the warrant. The warrant is now closed to new articles. So far, I have 32 articles. There may be one or two we'll pull off, but I have 32 articles.
Speaker 1:All set Craig Craig all set, that's it. Thank you, ms Riley. Questions no questions, ms DeColes.
Speaker 3:No, all right, that's it.
Speaker 1:Thank you, ms Riley. Questions no questions. Mr Collins no, all right Select Ms Report.
Speaker 2:Ms Riley, I have a little report. First I would like to send out a happy birthday wish to our Rainham Girl Scouts and thank Girl Scout leader Rachel King for sharing that. The very first Rainham Girl Scout troop the Wild Rose Troop 1, met at Gilmore Hall on April 21, 1930, 95 years ago. That's quite a record. Leaders at that time were Irene French and Lillian O'Brien and they had about 19 young girls involved at the time. Congratulations to those carrying on the tradition. Mrs King is asking that anyone who knows of any of the original leaders or Girl Scouts reach out to her. One of our current Girl Scouts is going to be working on a project for For upcoming events.
Speaker 2:This Saturday is the annual town election, obviously, and polls will be open from 10 am until 8 pm at the Rainham Middle School. We encourage everyone to vote. If you cannot vote on Saturday, the weather's not going to be that great. Absentee ballots are available at the town clerk's office here at Town Hall from 12 noon this Friday. I'd like to thank RACAM and the Rainham Channel for their candidates night that they hosted and for the planning board candidates Matt Andrade and Pam McHoney for participating, and also you, mr Pacheco, for recording a message for the voters, even though you are running out of post. I know the two candidates for housing authority, which is the only other contested race, were unable to attend the forum last Thursday night. Only other contested race were unable to attend the forum last Thursday night.
Speaker 2:Also on Saturday, the Songren Festival to celebrate the new year begins at 10 am, that's on Saturday, at the Buddhist Meditation Center located at 382 South Street East. There will be an opening ceremony at 10, live music and entertainment on Saturday and Sunday, as well as Thai food and Thai displays. Available Times are 10 to 7 on Saturday and 9.30 to 4 on Sunday. Everyone is invited and there is shuttle service from the Rainham Woods Commerce Park to the temple. Other than that, next Monday night is the next parade meeting, parade planning meeting 7 to 6.30 here at Town Hall. Anyone who would like to be in the parade or help plan it is invited to attend, and that's all I have.
Speaker 1:Thank you, ms Riley. Mr Collins, all right, just echo your sentiments about Election Day and Saturday. As you said, 10 am to 8 pm and absentee ballots are available through Friday and with the Temple celebration. I'll just build upon your report with a traffic advisory. As we know, that area can get extremely congested the South Street, east Hill Street area when they have events. So I would advise folks if they don't need to be in that area for the event, they might want to see alternate routes because I've got stuck in it once or twice.
Speaker 2:I remember that.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes. So our PD does a great job, to the extent that they are able, but it is a lot of congestion Correspondence. We have none Press time. We have none Emergency business, ms Riley. I have none, mr Collins. Citizen and community input. No Performance of the administrative duties.
Speaker 1:Riley, thank you and at this time I'll entertain a motion to head into executive session. Master, in your laws, chapter 30 a, section 21 a 3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation. If an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares, sewer Union and highway union, we will reconvene an open session for the singular purpose of adjournment all in favor and roll call miss Riley, mr Collins and chair votes aye thank, you have a great evening.