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The Raynham Channel
Raynham Select Board 09/30/2025
(Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy)
What does responsive local government look like when you zoom in? We open the meeting by setting a clean, enforceable framework for tag day fundraising—simple rules that protect donors, storefronts, and nonprofits while giving priority to groups serving Raynham. From there, we shift to the shoreline, laying out a conceptual plan for a Taunton River Access Park near the Old Colony South Street East Bridge. It’s a phased, grant-driven approach that balances accessibility, safety, and history: easy put-ins for canoes and kayaks, a 10–15 minute walking loop, thoughtful parking, and materials choices that stand up to weather without sacrificing the site’s character. We talk curb cuts and timing now so later we aren’t tearing out brand-new guardrails when the bridge replacement arrives.
The park conversation doubles as a lesson in stewardship. With eight miles of Taunton River frontage and only limited access points today, this project links people to water in a tangible way and connects to other passive recreation efforts, from Riverview Meadows to a planned fishing pier on Gardner Street. We also surface the site’s industrial past—an old canal, locks, and a long-gone dam—and consider how interpretation and design can make that history visible without compromising habitat or safety. Along the way, the Board invites feedback, pledges to post the concept online, and acknowledges an earmark while pursuing broader grants to make the vision real.
Community pride powers the back half of the meeting. We share highlights from a truly local Community Day: free food from Raynham businesses, a bustling kids’ zone, demos from police and fire, and volunteers everywhere—from students to Scouts to the Lions. It’s the kind of event that stays free on purpose, honoring a tradition that removes barriers for families and keeps the spotlight on local sponsors and neighbors. We also address a timely concern: a GATRA workforce strike affecting regional transit, with potential impacts on workers, businesses, and residents who rely on bus service. We commit to engaging leadership and tracking service changes to support our community.
If you care about how policies, parks, and people connect, this conversation delivers. Hear how small decisions—permit rules, design comments, grant steps—add up to safer sidewalks, better river access, and stronger civic ties. Subscribe, share with a neighbor who loves the river, and leave a review telling us which part of the plan you want to see built first.
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The Rainham Select Board on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025, here at Veterans Memorial Town Hall at 558 South Main Street. Call the meeting to order at 7 o'clock p.m. and announced that this meeting is open to the public. It is also being broadcast live through the Rainham Channel on Comcast Channel 98 and Verizon Channel 34. It is also being recorded by Ray Cam for replay on the Rainham Channel. Please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Our next order business is the acceptance of the minutes of the regular session of September 23rd, 2025, and the executive sessions of September 16, 2025, and September 23rd, 2025, to be accepted as printed with the executive session minutes withheld from public release.
SPEAKER_01:So moved. Second.
SPEAKER_03:Motion is made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing and all in favor? Any opposed? So voted. It's the end of the month. We have no department head reports this evening. Next month we will next week we'll for sure. We have no appointments scheduled at this time, no public hearings scheduled at this time. Completion of old or continuing business. Do you have anything else to put? Mr. Connelly. No. Mr. Barnes? No. Um we'll move on to new business. And first is discussion and vote on the policy for tag day permits. And this is the policy on tag day permits. Introduction introduction is this is in order to support nonprofit groups or organizations in their efforts to publicize their groups or organizations andor fundraise. The select board will consider and vote on whether to award a tag day permit for a particular date or dates in accordance with the criteria and conditions as outlined below. And briefly, the criteria is the group organization must be a nonprofit entity and must be able to document their status as such. If the group or organization is affiliated with a public school or church, confirmation from an official of the school or church will be accepted. The date or dates must be available as only one permit will be issued for any particular date or dates. All tag day permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to nonprofit groups or organizations that serve the Rainham community. The request should be submitted in a timely manner, no less than three weeks, to allow for adequate time for consideration by the board and determination at a regularly scheduled meeting. Once a tag day permit has been issued for a particular date or dates, no other tag day permits will be issued for said date or dates. The conditions, if the tag day request is approved, the group or organization must present a copy of the permit received from the town to the management of the store before any tag day activity takes place at any location. The group or organization must present a copy of the permit received from the town to the management of the store when reserving the date or dates at any establishment. The tag day permit allows the group or organization the ability to conduct the tag day activity at any place of business in town. Multiple locations for the same date are allowed, provided approval is received from the management at each separate location. And finally, if the group or organization is not providing the donor with a product in return for the donation, then the group or organization must have some sort of tag to give all donors to signify that they have contributed. Violations of any of these conditions will result in the loss of tag day privileges for the remainder of the current year and for the following year. The select board reserves the right to suspend any of the criteria or conditions if warranted for any reason deemed appropriate by the board. Do we have a motion for discussion?
SPEAKER_02:Motion to approve as presented. Second that motion.
SPEAKER_03:Okay, any further discussion? Hearing none all in favor. Any opposed? It is so voted. It does specify in our policy on policies that we will determine the date that it will take of go into effect. We want to set a date. Do we want to give a chance for um people to realize what the criteria is? I know we posted it.
SPEAKER_02:I'm assuming we don't have any in queue, so I would say 30 days. Sure, and that way anything that comes in between now and then, it is what it is, and then after that. Perfect.
SPEAKER_01:Okay. 30 days.
SPEAKER_03:Okay. Any further discussion? All in favor? Any post? So voted. Thank you. Next on our agenda, we have letters of interest for the Rhenium Cable Advisory Committee, Jane Kellever and Rita Roy. We have two um letters of interest with uh resumes, and obviously uh we thank them very much for applying. They seem both very qualified. Um, and our procedure obviously would be to return refer it to the Random Cable Advisory Committee for them to interview and then get back to us through the recommendations.
SPEAKER_02:So moved.
SPEAKER_03:Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? So voted. Next, we have discussion and review of draft conceptual plan of the Taunton River Access Park, uh proposed Taunton River Access Park on town-owned property off South Street East. And Mr. Barnes, what can you tell us about this?
SPEAKER_00:Yes, uh, we had received a grant uh from the Taunton River Stewardship Council uh that allows us to do a feasibility analysis conceptual plan on a uh proposed uh riverfront uh park access area. This would be right near the old colony South Street Bridge on the Taunton side. Um we own the property on the uh if you if you're heading toward Taunton on the left side, and we own some significant property on the right side, although not directly on the river, you have to um uh go in the back to to get to the town-owned property where there is access to the river. Um so uh our um engineer consultant has put together a uh draft of of the plan. Um it is uh critical that we start to plan now because of the fact that um uh we need to designate where curb cuts may be, as you know. With this uh we're eventually going to be replacing the Self Street uh Old Colony Self Street East Bridge, and that's gonna include sidewalks and and guardrails and such, and we certainly don't want to build them and then have to tear them down. Um, so this is still very much uh a conceptual thing. Um there's obviously the other equation, part of the equation is the money for the project. Um I will note that uh Dennis Gallagher has uh gotten us an earmark for$25,000. Uh that's uh not going to be the full cost, that would be considerably more. But part of what we're looking at is uh doing phases. Uh so what I'd like to do with this, if if the board is agreeable, is to disseminate this plan uh to multiple entities, obviously, to get their feedback. Uh I will also put this on the town website so the public can see the conceptual plan as as well. And I want to stress this is not uh this this is a working document. Uh it is not all in stone, but but um uh we uh what we're seeing here is a park that will allow for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and and walking. And uh uh it should we're we're able to create a pathway system on both sides of the road. I should state there's a lot of history to the site, particularly on the left side. Um at one time there was actually to the left of where the South Street uh East Bridge or Colony Bridge is, there was once a dam. So they built uh uh a canal to go around it. They actually had uh the boats had to go in and then they had um they had to raise the water for them, or I should say lower the water for them to get to the other side depending on which side you were going on uh using locks. Well that canal, even though it is um uh filled in a little, is still there. So a lot of if you go throughout the site, you'll see all sorts of um uh indicators of the previous history of of the site.
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SPEAKER_03:Barnes, I understand too, it's a pretty significant area on the Taunton River right there, too.
SPEAKER_00:Uh yes, it's it it constitutes um uh five or six acres, uh which um keep in mind right now uh we have eight miles of uh uh riverfront um to the river, and we uh at the um Riverview Meadows there is uh uh uh uh uh canoe uh access point being built, uh, but other than that there is nothing. So this is this would uh fill in a major hole, and I should state this one is meant to be extremely accessible. It literally you get right off the road and you're not that far right from where you can put your canoe in. The other one at Riverview Meadows, there is a little portage involved to get down to the river. So Mr.
SPEAKER_03:Barnes questions, Mr. Vichy.
SPEAKER_02:Uh no questions but a few comments. I I overall I like this plan. I think it ties in with what we've been trying to do for a number of years. As Mr. Barnes noted, uh, we were able to successfully secure uh, I believe, six parking spots at Riverview Meadows about five or six years ago. Um we're also as part of the Gardner Street project putting a fishing pier on it. Um so there's some uh passive recreational activities on top of this that we've been working strategically to try to create in town. Uh in particular on this, uh I I like the plan. I I only have one minor comment, and that would be um I I don't like the use of wooden guardrails. Um I I would suggest uh looking at something else. It's to block in the parking, and so I get we want to prevent the cars from going, but I I've seen um in similar locations uh use of different materials uh to meet that um criteria, and so that would be the one modification that I would like to see.
SPEAKER_03:Mr. Pichico, Mr. Collins.
SPEAKER_01:Um I don't have any concerns looking at this. I'm excited about it, Greg. I think this is awesome. Thanks for all your effort on this. Um do you about approximately how long is the trail? Do you know?
SPEAKER_00:Is it like do you know how many looks like it could be it's not uh it's not a long trail, but uh um uh I I wouldn't know the the feed, but it it it is uh it's a big area? You know, it's uh a a park type walk. It's let's put it this way, it's bigger than what you would say have at Johnson Pond. It would be you you would actually be able to uh um if you went briskly, uh probably take you, I would say, at least 10, 15 minutes to complete the walk.
SPEAKER_03:I would think it's something too that might lend itself to some grant possibilities.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, we're we're definitely going to be um looking at more grants, and again, we do have an earmark, assuming uh the governor doesn't you may recall the they're holding the earmarks until the state budget situation is uh a little more clear, but um um we're definitely pursuing grants. Um you know, this isn't just uh it's certainly gonna benefit our residents, but it's also gonna be a regional asset as well. And again, we have eight miles of Taunton River. Um to me that's um the um greatest natural um uh resource you have in town. It um uh the river has all sorts of recreational opportunities um at one time. Um it it was, as mentioned, uh was dammed and and quite polluted. That's no longer the case today. It is it's uh um it's a resource. You could actually hop in a boat, don't recommend it, but go all the way to Narragansett Bay and into the Atlantic Ocean if you so choose.
SPEAKER_03:Sounds good. Do you need any action from us on this, Mr. Barnes? Do you need a vote of any kind?
SPEAKER_00:Just uh look, seeking the the the the the uh board's uh acquiescence to move forward and and uh and further defining and and and selling the concept. Okay.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, so moved.
SPEAKER_03:Any further discussion? Hearing not all in favor? So voted. No one opposed. Okay, that brings us up to town administrators' report. Mr. Barnes, do you have anything else for us this evening?
SPEAKER_00:Uh yes, uh I would just like to say something about um, and I'm sure you'll bring it up, but I'm gonna bring it up uh community day. I was able to uh uh attend community day and and um was uh involved with a booth with Chris Buckley. Also our um that there were a number of other um department heads there as well. I took questions from the um um residents and others there, and um this year I was tested um thoroughly. I had questions such as how deep is Johnson Pond. By the way, it's four to five feet, um, how many uh people are typically pulled over each week by the police, not necessarily ticketed, eighty to a hundred, sometimes a lot more, um, what to do with pine cones, the bathroom situation at the high school, multiple questions about PFAST, um, which I will be contacting the water uh uh in particular the central water district on, uh questions of whether we had a mayor. Uh I could keep on going, but there were a varied amount, and the thing um I was asked uh about what makes community days special. Um I've been to a number of fairs uh days throughout the region and elsewhere, and many times um they have gone from being local to commercial. You know, a lot of their vendors are halfway across the country, a lot of the food uh establishments are are uh from from elsewhere. Uh there's typically a fee associated to get into it. Um and um what I think distinguishes this day is it's still very community oriented. You're virtually every book there was from someone with a local presence. Um there was uh plenty of free food uh of all types, um, really good food, by the way, and um uh a lot of different entities from all the way from real estate agents to banks to um all sorts of school uh uh organizations, um the robotics club, um, number one in the state, by the way, one one this year. Um and um I I was impressed.
SPEAKER_03:So thank you, Mr. Barnes. We go on to select men's report, Mr. Pacifa.
SPEAKER_02:Thank you, Madam Chair. Um as Mr. Barnes said, great uh Radium Community Day. Appreciate the efforts you and Rave uh put in. As I had uh mentioned to you uh at the event, I had the chance to go to a different community uh pro uh celebration day and uh night and day between the two. The size was different, but the biggest distinction for me was everything costs something at the other one. Uh and so I think the ability of you and Rave to continue to keep it a free event is is something that really, in my mind, uh allows it to stand out. So thank you for that. Uh and then the only other piece I have is I'm sure the board's aware, um, but as a member of GATTRA, um their largest union, uh their largest sector of workforce is on strike, and so uh that's severely impacting service, not just um to all of its communities, but more specifically to radium residents, uh, which could also have an impact on businesses because uh employees might rely on that uh and certainly consumers rely on that. Uh and so if there's no objection from the board, I'm not I'd like to uh get into uh contact with the uh administrator over there. Thank you.
SPEAKER_03:Thank you, Mr. Collins.
SPEAKER_01:I full confession I missed the uh community dance on Sunday, but uh my day that was the obligation, but I've heard nothing but good things about it, and thank you to you and the RAIF for everything you guys do. Sorry I missed it.
SPEAKER_03:I do have for my report, I do have a little report from our volunteer coordinator Becky George, who couldn't be with us this evening, but she sent me a little report. And um, if I could just read that, it says on behalf of the Rainham Community Day Celebration Committee, the Rainham Association of Volunteers for Education, and obviously our town of Rainham, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in Rainham Community Celebration Day 2025. Your dedication for this event, whether as a sponsor, vendor, entertainer, committee member, participant, or volunteer, does not go unnoticed. It was a beautiful day to celebrate Rainham. Thanks to everyone who participated. It was so nice to gather with a fantastic turnout of our friends, neighbors, and local businesses and organizations. This day would not have been possible without our generous sponsors. A special thank you to all of our sponsors, including Blue Stone Bank, Harbor One Bank, Wind Waste Innovations, Recycling Solutions, Bristol County Savings Bank, the Rhanium Cultural Council, Brave, the Taunton Municipal Lighting Plan, Personal Best Karate, and Lucini Bus Lines. The booths were amazing with creative setups, giveaways, raffles, activities, and more. The entertainment provided by various entertainers from a band concert by the Bridgewater and Tiffany-Brass Society, a petting zoo with alpacas, goats, and a rabbit, a stilt walker, magic show juggling at Bridgewater Rain and Regional High School marching band, martial arts and dance demonstrations, a unique reptile show, pony rides, and more were all top-notch. Thank you to Ray Cam for the sound system, announcing our entertainment and videoing throughout the event. The kids' zone with face painting, henna art, balloon animals, and yard games was the draw for many. There was an endless supply of complimentary hot dog soda and water from the Rainham Lions Club. Delicious chicken broccoli ziti from Stoneforge Tavern of Rainham was another highlight of the day, as well as subs from Jersey Mike's of Rainham snacks from Honey Farms Market and pizza and more provided by Cape Cod Cafe, Ambrosia, Pizzeria, and Pisones of Rainham, all as was mentioned at no charge. All of these foods, food items were generously donated by these wonderful businesses and organizations. The Rhanian Police and fire demonstrations were a huge hit as well. It is clear that the firefighters and police officers in our town truly enjoy this day with the kids. Thanks to our Certranium Cert and Ranium Police for assisting with parking and safety. It was a great day to visit the open house at the senior center and take a look at those newly renovated restrooms. The fourth annual pie baking contest was a great success thanks to the pie bakers who participated and our special celebrity judges. Ranium Fire Department Captain Jeff Keller and firefighter Mike McCrae and their tall chef's hat were the celebrity judges this year. Thank you to our bakers who donated their time and talent. We raised the most ever at a bake sale. And all of the proceeds go directly to the costs of holding Rainham Community Day. Thank you to our amazing volunteers, including Ray Volunteers, High School Volunteers, Choop 43 Scouts, Rainham Lions Club, and Albanium Community Day Committee for the tremendous efforts. A special note of gratitude to all of our Rainham Town departments who helped make this event such a success, including Norm Sturdivant from our Rainham Highway Department and Tim McCrae from Raining Park and Recreation Department, who walked the field with us numerous times to make sure we were going to be able to hold the event. And again, everybody that participated, it was a great event, and I look forward to seeing everyone back again for Randy Community Celebration Day next year. And I will just mention Kevin and Shirley Ellis started this, and they ran the organization. Well, actually, we were the committee before that, but they ran the event for 25 years, and one thing they always wanted was no charge. So that it was an event that families can go without having to worry about what they're paying for and that supervision, and hopefully we will always continue. So thank you again to everyone. We have no correspondence at this time, press time. Emergency business investigation?
SPEAKER_02:Not at all.
SPEAKER_03:Citizen and community input. Anyone wishing to address us? Performance of administrative duties, just report the approval of the town of Greenham invoice and payroll warrants. As of this date, September 30th, last day of September before we head into October. And with that, I'm looking for a motion to adjourn the open meeting and go into executive session in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 38, Section 21A2, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel, or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel, specifically non-union positions, and to return to open session for the sole purpose of adjourning with no additional business to be conducted. So second, roll call vote, Mr. Pacheco, Mr. Collins, Chair Votes Aye. We are going into executive session at 725 p.m. Thank you for joining us. We'll see you here next week.