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The Raynham Channel
Board of Selectmen 04/29/2025
(Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy)
Leadership transitions take center stage as Raynham's Board of Selectmen conducts its annual reorganization following the town election. Despite traditional rotation patterns, the board opts for continuity during what members describe as a "challenging year ahead," highlighting the value placed on experience and established organization when navigating significant municipal issues.
Highway Superintendent Norm Sturtevant delivers a detailed update on multiple infrastructure initiatives, from waste management improvements to strategic road maintenance projects. The department's approach to extending road life through cost-effective methods demonstrates fiscal responsibility while minimizing disruption to residents. A poignant moment emerges with the announcement of a Highway Department employee's upcoming one-year deployment as a National Guard Army medic, underscoring how municipal operations intersect with military service obligations.
Community development receives welcome attention with the announcement of Raynham Barber Company opening on Route 138, owned by lifelong resident Chris Kennedy in his early twenties. This homegrown entrepreneurship exemplifies the town's support for local business development. Meanwhile, preparations advance for the Memorial Day parade, with organizers seeking veterans, military members, and volunteers to participate. Looking ahead, residents should prepare for the Annual Town Meeting on May 19th, described as "a big town meeting" with numerous consequential articles requiring community input.
Join us in staying connected with your local government and supporting the initiatives that strengthen our community. Consider volunteering for upcoming events or attending the next Town Meeting to make your voice heard on issues that matter.
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All right, good evening everybody. I call the meeting to order at 7 pm. Inform the public that we are both performing the broadcast live by the Radio Channel, and I would ask those with us to join us in the pledge, please. It's changed one nation from God into this world to the great one justice for all.
Speaker 2:Thank you. We're now at the point in the agenda and in our year where we do a reorganization following our annual town elections, which happened this past Saturday, and with that I'll entertain a motion for Chairman of the Board. I will make a motion.
Speaker 1:Have the chair, chairman of the Board no, please.
Speaker 4:I mean normally the rotation. This is like it would be my turn to get the chair. I just haven't thought over a long time and why? Why? I think the chair, see, but it's too very well experienced people here already, especially for issues that we have going on in town and importance of the meetings, having the organization that we've had demonstrated over the past two years. So if it's our ideas, I'd be happy to stay here and I would make a motion to have each year a new vice chair I will uh second that uh any further discussion.
Speaker 2:So uh all in favor.
Speaker 6:Aye, that is unanimous congratulations and I asked for a motion for vice chair did you want to make that motion and I will second that any. Any other nominations, seeing none all in favor, aye, opposed. It is so voted. Congratulations, and I'll accept a motion for the Secretary Clark of the board, mr Fowles, and I will second that. No other nominations All in favor. Aye, opposed that no other nominations. All in favor. Oh so sorry and amiss. Votes and congratulations, and just want to thank you, mr Pacheco, for your leadership through this past year and thank you both for bringing a confidence in me to take the responsibility for the year going forward.
Speaker 6:It is going to be a challenging year and I think, as always it's most important that we face that as a team, always being guided by what's best for our town and for all of our fellow citizens. Thank, you so much.
Speaker 6:Okay, so moving forward, we have um minutes of our last meeting the minutes of the regular meeting of april 22nd 2025 and the executive session minutes of april 22nd 2025, those being withheld from public release immersion and a second any discussion hearing that all in favor be opposed. It is so voted and they are accepted as printed department head reports. We have our Highways superintendent, mr Norm Sturdivant. Welcome, mr Sturdivant.
Speaker 5:Good evening. Some updates from a very busy month of April from the highway department. I'll start with the solid waste division. We received the shed from the mass DEP that is designated for batteries and bulbs and, as we all know, so many things now are powered by batteries that we're getting an enormous amount of batteries, lithium and lithium ion, which can be dangerous at times. Which leads me to the next item that we also in-house purchased a flammable resistant cabinet that we're going to put inside the shed so that we don't burn down our new shed that the DEP just bought us. So we took care of that. We are working on a permit with GZA from the permits for the DEP. It's for closed landfills with solar panels on them. So that's a special permit that we get and we should have that wrapped up hopefully soon. Solar panels on them. So that's a special permit that we get and we should have that wrapped up hopefully soon.
Speaker 5:Parks and grounds have been very busy with the springtime tune-ups to in refurbishment to the baseball and softball fields for all our town leagues. Mowing has begun so that's gotten pretty busy as well. A town-wide fertilizer application was done last week, so that's all set for until the next round. We completed a large conversion on the clock field, which is a board and colony, and it was stone dust. Years ago we put it to native infield mix and for different reasons we had to put that back to stone dust. So we accomplished that. That was a big feat, saved a lot of money to the town by not excuse me subbing that out. Our road crew has been busy with still filling potholes around town from the from working on getting some equipment ready for our upcoming auction, which I spoke to Mr Barnes about this week. We also worked with our two front-end loaders to assist the tub grinder that comes in yearly or bi-yearly to chip a large brush pile. That was a little bit overdue. So we got a fresh start for the season. We set up both voting booths for the election on Saturday that we set those up on Friday and the takedown was yesterday morning. We started sweeping the sidewalks and roads and that'll continue until we're finished, probably sometime in mid to late May.
Speaker 5:Quick project update we were able to get a Hall Street drainage job that has been requested from some residents over there for several years and I'm proud to say we were finally able to get that done. So that's up and running. We also, while we're on the Hall Street topic, we started a part two I'm sorry, part one of a two-part project on ann, robinson hall and thrasher streets and those roads are starting to fall apart. The surfaces are starting to fall apart, especially with the um traffic that we've had on ann and robinson through the 138 detours that we've had. So what that is is they shimmed last week, they finished it in one day, uh, two days, uh. They shim and level and then at the beginning of June they'll come and they'll spray the rubberized chip stone on there and that should buy the town probably 10 to 12 years and it's about half the cost of a mill and overlay. So that's going to be a great project. I'll put that on the website as it gets closer for the residents over in that area. There will be no shutdown, we'll keep a open and they're going to be very quick. It's about a half a day for Ann Hall, robinson and then another half a day or so for Thrasher, elm Street East.
Speaker 5:We were set to go on May the 5th for a mill and overlay from about the approximately Barrels and Boards entrance off of 138 to approximately Hickory Drive down Elm Street East. We had to put that on hold. The state needed a little bit more time with the detour over there. So I've been in contact with them. I talk to them, you know, once a week lately just to coordinate everything between us and the state. So we're not clogging up 138 any more than it already is.
Speaker 5:On the help update, I would like to first say that we have a full-time employee that would be coming up on his one-year anniversary who's been doing a really good job and he was notified of a one-year deployment. He's a National Guard Army medic that will be getting deployed next week for one year. So we wish him all the best, safe travels and hopefully a safe return. We had two seasonal staffers return this year, one new and one on interview for this coming Thursday, full-time. We are still looking at those resumes and apps and that still remains at down three, but with hopes that we'll get that filled, hopefully soon. And that is all I have.
Speaker 6:Sounds like you've been very busy, mr PachecoO. Any QUESTIONS? No?
Speaker 2:NO QUESTIONS. Thank YOU, nuema. Please, extend OUR APPRECIATION TO THAT.
Speaker 6:EMPLOYEE FOR.
Speaker 2:HIS SERVICE TO US AND THE COUNTRY.
Speaker 5:WE'LL DO, mr COLLINS. Thanks, nuema.
Speaker 6:TH. Okay, we have no appointment scheduled for this evening. We do have a hearing. Leanne Tian Incorporated doing business as Asian Palace. Change of officers, directors and issuance. Transfer of stock. New stockholder at 1470 New State Highway.
Speaker 3:I will open the public hearing at 7.08 pm and, sir I, you are representing the petitioner. Yes, could I have your name and address with the record? Yes, I see even. Madam chair, members of the board, my name is attorney Russell chin. Chin law firm, 400 Hancock Street, quincy, massachusetts. Here representing the applicant Lian Tian Inc. And joined by Ms Ching Huang who is behind me. We're here before you with an application to change offices and directors. Ms Huang is a 60% shareholder. The 40% shareholder would like to sell the shares and that would leave miss Wong with only 100% of the shares and be the sole officer director shareholder. She's the current liquor manager.
Speaker 2:She's the mass resident in United States you answered the one question I was gonna have about and there's no change on that front. So I'm not going to go over my spell with you. I did a few months ago. I'm good, Madam Chair.
Speaker 6:Okay, thank you, mr Collins.
Speaker 4:She's a majority owner now, as it is right, she's a majority, now 60%, she will be 100% with the approval of the board?
Speaker 6:Okay, I don't see, but I'll say is there any opening to the public, if any public comment? Seeing none, do you have anything?
Speaker 3:else you want to add?
Speaker 6:no, no, ma'am nothing do I have a motion? Motion to approve motion and a second, any discussion hearing, and all in favor. Any opposed so voted. Thank you so much and congratulations, miss Warren. Thank you very much and congratulations.
Speaker 3:Ms Wong, thank you very much.
Speaker 6:And I will close the public hearing at 7.10 pm. Next we have completion of old continuing business. Do you have any, mr Pacheco? Mr Collins, new business we have a junk dealer's license for Hanush Jewelers at 295 New State Highway. We would need to set a public hearing date for that. At 295 New State Highway, we would need to set a public hearing date for that.
Speaker 2:I don't think we don't need a public need that all right, so then do we have a motion yeah, the building inspector has signed off their reputable business and they've done business in Rainier for a few years, so I will motion to approve very good, we have a motion and a second.
Speaker 6:Any discussion hearing, none all in favor, any opposed. It is so voted and that takes us up to our town administrators report, mr Barnes yes, first of all, we received notice from our tree warden, brian Galvin.
Speaker 1:He thinks it's time for him to hang it up. As you know, he did retire from his regular job in the cemetery and so he's, at the end of June, will be leaving as tree warden. We are working on next steps regarding that, thank you. Secondly, a big item to be voted on at next week's meeting will be the town meeting warrant annual town meeting warrant for for May 19th. So we have quite a number of articles on that and I will be giving you all a copy of those articles. There are about three. We're still working on the language, but the rest are all done. It's going to be a big town meeting, alright. And finally, we have come to a tentative agreement with the sewer union. So we will be having an executive session next week and, if all goes well, we can then report it out in open session. That is subject to ratification by the board and then, ultimately, town meeting also has to vote on it. But the sewer union has already voted in favor of the agreement.
Speaker 6:Very good. Thank you, mr Barnes. Anything for Mr Barnes, mr Pacheco, mr Collins, and we go to Selectman's report. Mr Pacheco, thank you, madam Chair.
Speaker 2:Just one item, just appreciation to everybody who turned out and voted on Saturday, and WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU. Thank YOU, and WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU, thank YOU AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU. Thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU. Th the term. Look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the two of you. As we've all discussed and agreed on, we have some challenges ahead. I have confidence that we will continue to navigate our path forward in the best interests of the town, and so again, just thanks to everybody thank you, mr Pacheco, mr Collins new local business opening up, this one to bring recognition to the young man, a young man.
Speaker 1:He's a Rainham resident.
Speaker 4:Chris Kennedy. He's lived in Rainham his whole life, graduated from high school a few years back as a young kid in his early 20s, and he's opening up a barber shop on Route 138 in Rainham oh absolutely yeah, it's called Rainham Barber Company and I believe they're anticipating opening the week after next. So it's a couple weeks down the road, but he's got it all set up, he's in there and just that was a good story. You know a?
Speaker 6:rainy business in Rainham. So just a couple things. First of all, congratulations, mr Pacheco, on your election this past Saturday. Is this is your? Is it your seven consecutive turns?
Speaker 6:I don't think you're closing in on mr MacKinnon yet, but that is impressive, and congratulations and congratulations to the other two winners, mrs Pam Mancone for planning board and mrs Becky Maliff, a housing authority, for their impressive victories. Also like to thank and commend Matt Andrade for his service as a member of the planning board and mrs Ginny Jakes for her service on the Housing Authority. I think they both served the town very well and should be commended for that. Also thank our town clerk Marcia Sylvia, assistant Town Clerk Amy Canepa, along with Tammy Hode in the office and all the poll workers, especially all the voters. As you said, that was a not what we'd always like more, but it was a better than then has been the last couple years for a turnout. So that was great and so again, thank everybody for that. I just want to report we had a good turnout at our second planning meeting for this year's Memorial Day parade last night. Many of last year's parade participants have already signed up. We are, however, still looking for more participants, more veterans and military members to walk in the parade or ride in the trolley we will have the trolley again this year and obviously volunteers to help coordinate the effort. Next planning meeting is in two weeks, on Monday, may 12th, beginning at 6.30 here in the Municipal Meeting Room at Town Hall. More information and or parade participation forms are available in the Selectman's Office or by emailing ravevolunteercoordinator at gmailcom.
Speaker 6:Our RAVE organization is having a very busy week. This week, tomorrow and Friday, rave volunteers will be joining forces with our Rainham Police for RAVE's Mary Lou Arruda Child Safety Program, fingerprinting those kindergarten and first grade children at the Merrill Elementary School whose parents have signed permission slips. Then, on Thursday and Friday morning, rave will be holding its annual Pen Pal program meet and greet events when our senior citizen Pen Pals meet their fourth grade Pen Pals after corresponding over the past several months, and that will be followed by Children and Senior Together Week visits with senior citizens visiting all of our Liberty second, third and fourth grade classes. Senior citizens visiting all of our liberty second, third and fourth grade classes. Special thanks to ray. Fingerprinting chairperson Rachel King, who will be assisted with chief by chief Peter, chief David LaPlante, police chief and retired police chief Peter King, and also thanks to pen pal program chairperson Becky mellow. Children and seniors together chairperson jen mcnally and, of course, re-volunteer coordinator becky george.
Speaker 6:I don't believe we have any correspondence. I don't see anyone here from the press. Citizen and community input. I don't think we have a rush on that as well. Performance of administrative duties. Just to report that we have reviewed, I've reviewed, the town of uranium. Invoice and payroll warrants Dated today, april 29th. Believe it's almost made. And so with that emergency business, mr Pacheco, mr Collins, then I think that's everything. Motion to adjourn the meeting. Second all in favor? All right, stay well, take care everybody, and we are adjourned.