The Raynham Channel

Raynham Select Board 10/14/2025

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

Quiet decisions, big consequences—that’s the story of this meeting. We move through a packed agenda with clear rationale and practical steps, from public safety to regional school finance, all aimed at strengthening daily life in town without missing a beat.

We start with the realities on the ground: a fire department handling 11–12 calls a day, overtime pressures from injury coverage, and hands-on community outreach that builds trust. We reinforce the front line by approving four police reserve candidates pending the state physical abilities test, and we support local business responsibly with an all-alcohol license ownership change that keeps proven management in place and maintains strict standards around service and safety.

Operational continuity gets real attention. We finalize a contract for a seasoned executive assistant after a highly competitive search and reinstate the assistant town administrator role internally as a stipend position to keep the wheels turning when the administrator is out. On infrastructure, we authorize an on-call engineering contract for the highway department, capped for fiscal control, to meet the demands of an active project slate. We also green light two charity five-milers—one for Homes for Our Troops and another for the Raynham Knights of Columbus—contingent on police and fire approval, balancing community spirit with public safety.

Fiscal governance and compliance come into sharper focus as we align school capital timing with state expectations. By shifting certification to the fall and documenting it in an MOU, we protect budget clarity for both Bridgewater and Rainham. We also brief the regional school finance review plan with CLA under a state contract, outlining how the scope, funding, and approvals will move. Environmental quality isn’t left behind: following odor complaints at the King Philip Street asphalt plant, we secure commitments for plant improvements and push for a MassDEP inspection, clarifying jurisdiction so enforcement lands with the right authority.

We keep the schedule humane—no meetings on Veterans Day or the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week—and we set a structured, evidence-based timeline for the town administrator’s evaluation to keep accountability fair and consistent. It’s a night of measured progress that favors continuity over spectacle and service over soundbites.

If you value clear decisions that actually move the town forward, subscribe, share this with a neighbor, and leave a review with the one issue you want on the next agenda. Your input shapes what we tackle next.

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SPEAKER_05:

I'm going to call the meeting to order at 7 o'clock of the Rainham Select Board here on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025. Call the meeting to order at 7 o'clock here at Veterans Memorial Town Hall at 558 South Main Street. Just want to announce 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. Thank you for joining us. Please join us now for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag, the United States of America, the Republic, public students, or nation, and the God. Thank you. Our next item is the acceptance of the minutes. We have the regular session of October 7th, 2025, and the executive session of October 7th, 2025, with the executive session minutes withheld from public release. Do I have a motion to accept the minutes as printed? Motion is made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor? Any opposed? So voted. Next we have department head reports, and we have our FARC, Chief Brian Lasivida, with his monthly report. Welcome, Chief.

SPEAKER_02:

Welcome, thank you. Good evening. Uh just start with uh some unforeseen overtime that we've had in the last couple months. We do have one firefighter that's been out uh with a hand injury. Uh he has an appointment at the end of the month, and hopefully he'll be back on his way. But that costs us just under uh$20,000. Uh an activity for last uh month? Fire incidents were 90. We did 90 fire incidents, 219 medical calls, and 100 uh inspectional services. We also participated in community day, and I'd like to thank uh Captain Kelleher, who always puts that together with his people, and uh a special shout out to uh uh firefighter Scott Pillsbury and Matt Ryan. They made new uh props for the hose for the kids to do, and that seemed to be a big hit, but that was uh that was all on them. So good for them. And I'll just close with uh last year we were at 2,739 incidents. This year we're at 2,927, 188 uh difference. So that puts us on pace probably for another record-breaking year, but 11 to 12 calls a day.

unknown:

Mr.

SPEAKER_05:

Pachico, no questions, thank you, Mr. Collins. Thank you very much. Yeah, and thank all the members of the fire department for participating not only in community day but in the meetings planning it as well. It was appreciated, and yes, they were a huge hit. Thank you, and uh and also judging our pie baking.

SPEAKER_02:

I did that, I should I remember that. I know Captain Keller was uh you seem to be in a diabetic coma when I thought thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay, uh next we have appointments, and we have a letter here from our um police chief. It says the Iranian police department is requesting the board's approval to fill four positions on our Iranian police reserve list. We've completed a thorough background investigation, interview process, as well as medical and psychological tests within the limitations set by civil service. We would like to offer a conditional offer to the following individuals based on their ability to pass the physical abilities test set by civil service. Should the individual not pass the physical abilities test, the appointment will be rescinded. The department recommends the following individuals John Daxberger, Ethan J. Hastings, Brandon Rosato Lorenzo, and Liam Alakin.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes, Adam Chad. Motion to approve contingent upon um passing the physical abilities test.

SPEAKER_05:

Motion has been made and seconded. Um further discussion? And again, this is appointments to the police reserve list. All in favor? Any opposed? So voted. That brings us up to hearings, and we have a hearing on the all-alcohol restaurant license with the for a change of officers and ownership interest for Ryan Family Amusements LLC at 115 New State Highway. I'll open the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. and ask someone who's representing, please give us your name and um address for the minutes.

SPEAKER_00:

I'd be happy to do that. Good evening, members of the board. My name is Mike Rossi. I'm an attorney with Conn Kavanaugh in Boston. With me tonight is Zach McColl, who's the director of operations for Ryan Family Amusements, and Billy Campbell, who's the president of the company. And uh we are here before this board requesting an amendment to the existing all-alcohol license to uh essentially just change the owners of the company. The company is in the process of being sold. There'll be some new investors coming in and taking an ownership interest. But the the the one point I think I would just want to leave the board with, and then I'd of course be happy to take any questions, is that nothing is going to change from an operational standpoint. Uh folks like Zach and Billy are going to m stay with the company and continue to operate the business. And if somebody was to go into the premises here in Rainham, they would notice no difference. The hours are not going to change, the service is not going to change. There's just some new owners that are coming in and investing in the company.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay, thank you. Questions, comments, Mr. Bachin.

SPEAKER_03:

Thank you, Councillor. Thank you. Um you touched upon really what I want to delve into. Um it's obviously more specifically what we have for tonight, the Leker license. Uh, and I see the note that you made that uh the change of license manager will remain the same. Obviously, nobody can predict, you know, too far out, but from what I've seen typically when when groups such as yours come in, I mean, we're not talking, you know, one or two owners, we're talking uh holding companies and literally over a dozen owners. Uh and so uh to me that's more of uh uh a commercial acquisition as opposed to res maintaining what I would consider to be a mom and pop operation. And where I'm going with this counselor is prior to the existing restaurant and its manager, and I'm going back 20 years, that establishment was a lot of trouble for the town of Rainham. Uh, and under the current licensee and manager, there have been no issues. And that's what we pride ourselves on here in Rainham, and we have zero tolerance for serving to minors, overserving, or anything of the kind. So, what I'm looking for from you, counselor, is some assurances uh as far out as you can go that we're not going to get ourselves into those types of issues in the future.

SPEAKER_00:

Sure. Well, I think um a couple of points on that. First of all, the the folks that are coming in and investing in the company are making, as you may have seen from the materials, a substantial investment in this operation. And I I think they would be foolhardy to do that and at the same time sanction any of the type of activity that you're suggesting. They want this business to continue to work and they're going to do everything they need to do to make sure that it does. So that's one. And then, second of all, the individuals who you know, like the licensed manager who currently works there, as well as um uh individuals like, as I said, like Billy and Zach, who are really on the ground on a day-to-day basis. They're not going anywhere and they're going to continue to operate the business, and they're going to have the same commitment that they've had for the past 20 years to make sure that it is safely operated and that it's a really a welcomed um business and addition to the town. And and I I can certainly pledge that they'll continue to do that.

SPEAKER_03:

Good. All right, I'm also thank you on the chair.

SPEAKER_05:

Thank you, Mr. Collins. Okay, obviously the manager is key, and I would imagine being uh an alcohol beverage license if there was a change in manager. Yes, they have come before.

SPEAKER_00:

We will be back before you, of course. Yep.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay, very good. Um, just because it is a public hearing, I'll ask if anybody from the public, but I don't really see anyone that wants to speak unless one of you gentlemen wish to. Um, with that, I will ask the board for a decision.

SPEAKER_03:

Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_05:

Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in pay favor. Aye. Any opposed? It is so voted, and I'll close the public hearing at 707 and wish you continued success.

SPEAKER_00:

Thank you all very much.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay, continuing with our agenda, completion of old or continuing business. Do you have anything, Mr. Cuchica?

SPEAKER_03:

Non-member.

SPEAKER_05:

Mr. Collins? Mr. Barnes, any continued or old business? Okay. Then we go to new business, discussion and vote on non-union employment agreement with Kathleen Cotter as exec executive assistant to the town administrator and select board. Um this is something the negotiations of the contract took place in previous executive session, and now it comes before us for a vote on the contract. It is a three-year contract beginning October 20th, 2025, and continuing through June 30th, 2028. Um and Mr. Barnes, what can you tell us? I understand there were many, many applicants for this position.

SPEAKER_01:

Uh yes, there were over a hundred applicants for the position. Uh we narrowed it down to two finalists, and uh Kathleen Cotter was our uh selected candidate. She's the administrative assistant in Kingston Mass, uh, brings a lot of experience to the table, and thinks she'll be a good supplement to our team.

SPEAKER_05:

Thank you. Um I turn over to the board.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, and I motion to approve. I don't second it.

SPEAKER_05:

And motion is made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor. Aye.

SPEAKER_03:

Aye.

SPEAKER_05:

Any opposed? So voted, and I understand as mentioned uh Ms. Carter will be starting very soon.

SPEAKER_01:

Uh actually on Monday.

SPEAKER_05:

All right. Very good. All right, continuing then with new business. Next we have discussion and vote on filling assistant town administrator position. And um we have an internal posting notice, um, which I will read. The town select board is seeking candidates for the position of assistant town administrator to perform duties of the town administrator, while in his or her temporary absence, the successful candidate will be expected to perform the basics of the job while still carrying out his or her regular duties. Duties may include attendance at both day or night meetings, the individual will need to be a quick learner, self-motivated and well organized. The position will pay an annual stipend of$2,000. Interested persons should submit a letter of interest to Kelly Usher in the Human Resources Department. Applicants submitting within seven days will be given priority. And um, this is not a new position. I think it was filled once before when um former uh uh executive um uh executor was he town administrator Randy Buckner announced that he was um thinking retirement. Mr. Fachico, you can tell the Senate.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah, no, it's it's during my time it had been filled twice. Uh in the past three years we haven't filled it. As you said, uh$2,000 is not a typo. So it's not a full-time position, it's not a new position. Uh and my failing is, and I think the board shares this sentiment, is uh we need to have uh continuity of operations. Uh and right now there's a deficiency if if Mr. Barnes is out for any period of time handling some of the day-to-day functions, and I think bringing this position back allows us to maintain that continuity of operations and hopefully gives Mr. Barnes an opportunity to recharge and take some of his vacation time, which as we know spills over to the next fiscal year frequently.

SPEAKER_05:

Mr. Collins?

SPEAKER_04:

I like the idea. The question is is this the official posting year or with dates on it, or is it just effective as of today? Is going to be posted on the Mr.

SPEAKER_01:

Barnes?

SPEAKER_04:

I'm sorry, is this posted like officially today, or is this just like a template of the post?

SPEAKER_01:

Uh we're once you approve it, we'll be putting it up. That's okay. Awesome. Or emailing it to everyone as well.

SPEAKER_05:

You do anything you want to add?

SPEAKER_01:

Uh nope. As mentioned, this is only in my temporary absence, uh, whether I'm on a vacation or I'm uh I'm on sickment. Uh this would help to fill in the gap because as you know, this is uh a lot to do in this job. Absolutely. Never keep me uh I'm never bored.

SPEAKER_05:

For sure. Do we have a motion?

SPEAKER_01:

Motion to approve. I'll take that one.

SPEAKER_05:

The motion has been made and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor. Any opposed? So voted. Next, we have discussion and vote to have no select board meetings and night hours on November 11th, which of course is Veterans Day, and November 25th, which is the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, and that is something that we did uh previous last year, I think.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes, yep. I had a motion to approve, and you know, this gives obviously we're not open at all on Veterans Day, but staff an opportunity to plan accordingly for Thanksgiving week. Um that motion.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay. Um any motions made and seconded? Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, any opposed, so voted. Next we have town administrator evaluation and Mr. Pachico.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes, thank you, madam chair. Uh it's that time to do the evaluation again, and I wanted to bring it forward to codify that process. I would suggest uh just using the tool we've used the last few years. Um if that's amenable to the board, Mr. Barnes has had no issues with it. So I feel like if it's broke don't broke, uh no need to change it. Uh and I would suggest uh the board take uh I don't know two weeks to get it done. And then, Madam Chair, I don't know if you want to do it again or if you want one of us to pick up that responsibility.

SPEAKER_05:

Um I think that sounds good. The only thing is the key component of this is the um accomplishments, yes, which is something Mr. Barnes needs to give us. And I think we've sort of done that after the fact before, and that is a key component in the uh overall scoring. So I want to give Mr. Barnes time to get that to us. Do you think you could get that to us by next week, maybe, Mr. Barnes?

SPEAKER_01:

Uh if you could give me uh do it in for three weeks, because I do have a major thing that's occurring this week that I want to do.

SPEAKER_05:

Absolutely. And we could be working on the earlier part of the scoring and then just wait for that final component. So perhaps if you be maybe three weeks instead of okay, all right. So um second. Any further discussion? Hearing none all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? So voted. And if you're fine with that, I have no problem doing it again.

SPEAKER_03:

I sort of include it. You're good at it, thank you.

SPEAKER_05:

All right, next, discussion and vote of contract for general engineering consulting services through Greenman Peterson Incorporated for the highway department. Mr. Barnes, what can you tell us about this?

SPEAKER_01:

Uh yes, this is the second time you've approved such a contract uh this year. Uh this is for general services. Uh uh the highway department relies very heavily on engineering uh review, and with all the projects going on as of late, i.e. Mill Street, uh there's more of it than than is is typical. So this would this would allow uh us to continue engage uh use of an engineer through the highway department.

SPEAKER_05:

And it says here that it is mutually agreed that services performed under the agreement should be limited to a not to exceed amount of$100,000.

SPEAKER_01:

That is correct. Okay, Mr.

SPEAKER_05:

Pachiko.

SPEAKER_01:

Mr.

SPEAKER_05:

Collins. Motion is made and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor. Aye. Any opposed? It is so voted. Next discussion and vote to allow five mile road races by North Ray Northeast Race Management, Dan Lamarrow, and this is for November 8th of 2025 and March 9th of 2026. Two charity road races. Mr. Lamerow writes that he has been organizing in Rainham annually. Um Five Miles Home supports homes for our troops, that's November 8th. And the March 9th event uh supports Rainham Knights of Columbus. It's a charity five miler. Um Mr. Pachino.

SPEAKER_03:

Motion to approve pending police and fire. Second.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay, any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor. Any opposed? So voted, and that is again um with the uh approval contingent upon approval by police and fire. Thank you. And that brings us to our town administrators' report, Mr. Barnes.

SPEAKER_01:

Uh yes, uh I regularly meet along with our finance director, with uh Ryan uh powers, our school superintendent and his uh finance officials. Uh these are administrative meetings. Uh we had a meeting last week. Uh we talked about capital and how to handle capital. Uh there are some differences between how we handle capital and the state had suggested. And as Ryan pointed out, there's no uh one way it's being done in the state. He did some surveying. But in any case, uh we came to uh a preliminary uh agreement as to how we could move forward. It will involve uh an MOU uh which uh as we get more advanced in its writing uh would uh uh I'll I'll be bringing to the board. Basically, the idea is that um the schools will uh uh not ask for the capital until the fall. And then that so they won't certify that as part of their spring budget. They will do a recertification for the fall. And both uh Bridgewater and and um uh Rainham, at least through me, are very agreeable to that arrangement.

SPEAKER_05:

And that's basically what we've done in the past, Mr. Barnes, correct?

SPEAKER_01:

It it it it is, other than what was happening is they were certifying it in the spring, and uh the state was saying because they were certifying it in the spring but not voting it too often until the fall, that represented uh uh what they did not believe we should be doing. Although Ryan actually, it appears that we are not the only one out there that did something different from what the state feels we shouldn't be doing. So uh I'm not sure the state fully understands what the communities are doing relative to what they they think they're doing.

SPEAKER_05:

They should be happy with this survey.

SPEAKER_01:

But this this is a way to uh appease the state, and at the same time uh it it's uh something that both Bridgewater and Rainum can can do. So I thought it was a very productive meeting, and again, we're gonna be put my one request that we put it in writing so it's uh very clear to all.

SPEAKER_05:

Thank you, Mr. Barnes. Any questions from Mr. Barnes? Then we move to select board's report, Mr. Vachine.

SPEAKER_03:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just one item. As the board's aware, we've been receiving some odor complaints uh regarding the uh asphalt plant on King Phillips Street. Um we've been working on it now for quite some time. The town administrator, the health director, and myself had a meeting uh with plant management today that I would deem to be productive. Um they've agreed to make some improvements to the plant that hopefully will alleviate some of the odors. And with the assistance of State Rep Temp Escalaga, we're working uh to get Mass DEP out to do an inspection as well as they are the permit holder. And I just want to highlight that uh, for example, uh with a restaurant we give the permit, so we handle the inspections and the enforcement. In this particular situation, it's the state who issues the permit, and so it's our position that the state should do the inspection and the enforcement. Uh and so that's where we're at right now, but I wanted to make sure that the public's aware that we're aware and that we're actively uh working to get a resolution for that.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay, thank you for that, Mr. Pachico. Mr. Collins?

SPEAKER_03:

I have nothing new to report, please.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay, just want to report that uh Bridgewater Rainham uh Regional School Committee, the uh working group, which I represent the board on, and uh Dr. Susan Prewandowski also represents the finance committee, will be meeting tomorrow evening, and uh Mr. Loretti, the um president of the council in Bridgewater, is going to presenting his proposed scope of work for the financial review, which had been discussed at our joint meeting. He, along with help from the town manager in collaborating with CLA, came up with the proposed scope to send to the school committee to this working group to review. Um, after some deliberations he had with the town manager of Bridgewater, they agreed upon that it would be discussed at the budget working group on Wednesday. Then the school committee can be the ones to engage with CLA and with the scope of work if that's agreed at this meeting. CLA is under a state contract, so no RFP would be required, simply the scope of work, and then engaging in a contract. At that time, Bridgewater's town manager would submit an appropriation order to the town council for approval. And Rainham, we would our board would need to do that at go to town meeting, which we did vote for an article at last week's meeting. So just an update on that, and I will report back on tomorrow's meeting. And just a reminder, too, that our Bristol Plymouth Regional School District is having their open house and reception on Saturday from 12 until 3 p.m. And the public is invited to take a look at the open house. Um and that's all that I have at this time. So that takes us up to correspondence. I don't believe we have do we have any correspondence, Mr. Barnes?

SPEAKER_01:

I do not.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay, so press time. We have no one here from the press with us this evening. Emergency business, Mr. Pachico, Mr. Collins, Mr. Barnes, any emergency business for us? Uh citizen and community input. I don't see anyone here rushing to the podium. Performance of administrative duties, just to report that I and the finance director have reviewed and signed the town of Rain and invoice and payroll warrants at today's date on them, October 14th, 2025. And with that, I'm looking for a motion to go into executive session in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 38, Section 21, A2, and 3, 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, and 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. Specifically, non-union positions and police union, and just to note that we will return to open session for the sole purpose of adjourning with no additional business to be conducted. Do we have a motion? Roll call vote, Mr. Pachico, Mr. Collins, Chair votes aye, and at 7 23 p.m. we are going to enter executive session. Thank you all for watching.