Board of Selectmen 05/19/2025

(Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy)

Ever wondered what happens when local government officials are racing against the clock? Our recording of Raynham's Board of Selectmen meeting offers a fascinating glimpse into municipal efficiency at its finest.

In this remarkably brief six-minute session, the board demonstrates precision governance as they prepare for the town's Annual Town Meeting. The meeting showcases how essential town business continues even on unusual schedules, with the board convening on Monday at 6pm instead of their usual Tuesday gathering. Despite the compressed timeframe, they manage to address several substantial matters affecting the community.

Notable actions include the unanimous approval of a three-year contract with the Highway Employees Union featuring annual 2% cost-of-living increases, the appointment of a new Animal Inspector, acceptance of a Library Board resignation, and awarding of a painting contract for the Highway Department building. The board also announces the upcoming Memorial Day Parade, scheduled for Saturday morning and concluding with a ceremony at the gazebo park.

What makes this recording particularly valuable is its demonstration of local democracy functioning efficiently while maintaining transparency. Every vote, discussion, and announcement happens in full public view, broadcast live on local channels and recorded for those unable to attend. Whether you're a civic engagement enthusiast, a student of government operations, or simply curious about how decisions get made in small-town America, this condensed meeting offers remarkable insights into the mechanics of municipal governance.

Listen now to experience this model of governmental efficiency, and gain appreciation for the often-overlooked but vital work of local officials who keep our communities running smoothly!

Chapters

• 0:00 Meeting Call to Order
• 1:04 Approval of Minutes
• 1:47 Appointments and Resignations
• 3:00 Highway Union Contract Approval
• 4:23 Town Meeting Announcements
• 6:02 Meeting Adjournment

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

the zoning does not allow for it, so it would either have to be okay.

Speaker 2: 0:09

I'm gonna call the meeting to order of the Rainham Board of Selectmen at 6 o'clock pm on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 5, 58 South Main Street in Rainham, and thank you for joining our meeting. You can watch a live broadcast. This meeting is being recorded by. It's actually live by the Rainham channel, RayCam, and it's also being taped for replay on the Rainham channel. It is live on Comcast channel 98 or Verizon channel 34. So thank you for joining us. Call the meeting to order and ask you to join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Speaker 1: 1:01

Thank you.

Speaker 2: 1:02

We are obviously on a different day Monday and a different time 6 o'clock, thank YOU. We ARE OBVIOUSLY ON A DIFFERENT DAY MONDAY AND A DIFFERENT TIME 6 O'CLOCK, in ANTICIPATION OF OUR ANNUAL TIME MEETING, which WILL BEGIN VERY SHORTLY, our FIRST AGENDA ITEM IS THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MAY 13, 2025. We're GOING TO HOLD ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES UNTIL NEXT WEEK, but IF I COULD HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, as PRINTED, the REGULAR MINUTES OF MAY 13, 2025. So MOVED MOTION IS MADE AND SECONDED. Any DISCUSSION HEARING NONE. All IN FAVOR, any OPPOSED, so VOTED. So we'll accept the regular session and hold on the executive session minutes. We have no department head reports this evening. We do have an appointment of a nomination. We've received a nomination of Inspector of Animals, justin Matthew. Do we have a motion?

Speaker 1: 1:58

So, moved.

Speaker 2: 1:59

We have a motion and a second Hearing. Any discussion Hearing. None all in favor, aye, any opposed. It is so voted and Justin Matthews is appointed Inspector of Animals. We have no public hearing scheduled this evening. Completion of old or continuing business. Do you have?

Speaker 1: 2:17

any, Mr Pacheco.

Speaker 2: 2:18

None, mr Collins and I have none Under new business. We have a resignation letter from the Library Board of Trustees members, suzanne Lopes. She is resigning from the library board due to the fact that she is moving to Arizona next year and she will remain a big supporter and champion of the library and we are sure of that. Do we have a motion to accept the resignation and send a letter of appreciation? So much. Motion by mr Pacheco, seconded by mr Collins. Any discussion hearing then all in favor and opposed, so voted.

Speaker 2: 2:56

Next we have discussion in vote on the highway union contract. You may recall, at our meeting last week the board went into executive session in accordance with Mass General Laws, chapter 38, section 21a, to discuss strategy and during that executive session the board did vote unanimously to approve the three-year contract with the Rainham Highway Employees Union as negotiated. It is a three-year contract with a 2% cost of living increase each year. I would ask now for a vote to confirm the Board's approval of the contractual agreement so moved. Motion made by Mr Pacheco, seconded by Mr Collins. Any discussion Hearing, none. All in favor, any opposed. It is so voted. Next we have discussion and vote on awarding a contract with Building for Our Future LLC for painting services at the Highway Department, 1115 King Phillips Street. What can you tell us about this, mr Barnes?

Speaker 1: 3:58

They obtained three-plus contracts. They obtained three plus contracts. They used the state list of certified contractors for this, and this was the lowest bidder.

Speaker 2: 4:13

Okay very good. Do we have a motion to approve?

Speaker 1: 4:15

Motion to approve.

Speaker 2: 4:16

Motion and second Any discussion Hearing. None all in favor, aye Any opposed, so voted. Town Administrator's Report, mr Barnes.

Speaker 1: 4:27

I have nothing other than we will obviously be reconvening at town meeting at 7. We have a large town meeting tonight, 37 articles, and hope to see everyone there.

Speaker 2: 4:42

Very good. Thank you, Mr Barnes. Selectman's report. Do you have anything for us, Mr Pichu?

Speaker 1: 4:46

Nothing today, Madam Chair.

Speaker 2: 4:51

Mr Collins, I have nothing other than we hope to see everyone at our annual town meeting across town over at the Rainham, memorial Day Parade will take place this Saturday, beginning at 10 o'clock, stepping off from the Liberty and the Merrill, the Liberty and Merrill elementary schools and concluding at the gazebo park where our Memorial Day ceremony will take place. Correspondence we have no new correspondence. We have no one from the press here for press time. Mr Pacheco, do you have any emergency business? Mr Collins, we have no emergency business. We have no one from the press here for press time. Mr Pacheco, do you have any emergency business? Mr Collins, we have no emergency business. We have no citizen and community input. They're all heading over to the Rainham Middle School to sign in for the annual town meeting. Performance of administrative duties because it's Monday, I will be reviewing them tomorrow and the Rainham invoice and payroll warrants and signing them, and with that I think this is the quickest meeting that you've done better, mr.

Speaker 1: 5:53

Pacheco, but it's the quickest, oh yes and just one thing to reinforce there will be no regular meeting tomorrow. This is in lieu of tomorrow's meeting.

Speaker 2: 6:03

Thank you, mr Barnes. Definitely we will not be meeting tomorrow, tuesday, may 20th. This is in lieu of tomorrow's. Thank you, mr barnes, definitely we will not be meeting tomorrow, tuesday, may 20th. This is our weekly meeting, just a day early because of the annual town meeting, with that at 6 0 6 pm. I look for a motion to adjourn so moved and I don't think there's any discussion on that motion, so we are adjourned. Thank you for joining us.