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Raynham Select Board 02/10/2026

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

A routine agenda turned into a masterclass in how local government safeguards daily life. We open with a clear-eyed police report on a high-volume January: more than 2,500 calls, a critical response to a vehicle into a home on Broadway, and a snowstorm that tested crews across shifts. Then we make two pivotal staffing moves—welcoming a fully trained local officer and preparing for a seamless dispatcher transition after nearly twenty years of dedicated service—reinforcing the backbone of emergency response when every second counts.

The night’s brightest moment belongs to community pride. We present the Raynham Recognition Award to Tia Labrecque, a standout on the U.S. Women’s Deaf National Soccer Team who helped secure gold in Tokyo with four goals and three assists. Her story of perseverance and performance radiates beyond the field, reminding us how individual grit lifts a whole town.

From there, we press into decisions that keep a community healthy, funded, and ready. We authorize aerial mosquito larvicide flights over wetlands for the spring-to-fall window, aligning public health strategy with seasonal risk. We resolve a state compliance snag with an agreement to align school capital assessments and appropriations, bringing budget clarity to the district and both towns. We greenlight a no-match Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant application to boost readiness and safety gear at zero cost. And we back Senate Bill 1370 to ease insurance burdens on independent plow drivers, a practical fix to strengthen winter operations and keep roads open when storms arrive.

Our Town Administrator’s update connects the dots on infrastructure and facilities. Route 138 faces another state-driven scope revision due to costs, with potential impacts on west-side sidewalks; milling and paving remain targeted for 2027. We also explore a partnership with Bristol-Plymouth to refresh the North School—future temporary police quarters—with attention to lighting, paint, and windows, while navigating lead paint rules. Around town, civic life hums: the Friends of the Council on Aging recruiting board members, a Wingstop ribbon cutting, the Starry Night Gala benefiting schools, and Read Across America plans with the library and district.

Subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a review with your top takeaway. Which decision matters most to you—public safety staffing, winter readiness, school capital timing, or Route 138 sidewalks?

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SPEAKER_07:

Okay, it is seven o'clock by that clock is a little slow, seven o'clock, and I'm going to call um to order the meeting of the Rainham Select Court here on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, here at Veterans Memorial Town Hall at 558 South Main Street. I announced that this meeting is open to the public. We appreciate those, all of you that are here this evening. It is also being broadcast live on the Rainham Channel, on Comcast Channel 98, and Verizon Channel 34. It is also being recorded by Raycam for replay on the Rainham Channel. Again, thank you for joining us. And please join us now for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag, the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands.

SPEAKER_06:

One nation under God, indivisible, liberty, and justice for all.

SPEAKER_07:

Thank you. Our next order of business is the acceptance of the minutes. We have the minutes of the regular session of January 27, 2026, and the executive session of January 27th, 2026, with the executive session minutes withheld from public release. Do we have a motion to accept as printed?

SPEAKER_03:

So moved.

SPEAKER_07:

Motion is made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor. Aye. Any opposed? It is so voted. Next we have our department head reports, and this evening we have our police chief, David Leplant, here with us with his monthly report. Welcome, Chief.

SPEAKER_00:

Good evening.

SPEAKER_07:

Aye.

SPEAKER_00:

So for January, we had uh 2,527 calls for service. Uh 489 of those were emergency 911 calls, um, and 98 of those were emergency medical dispatch calls. Um, there were 17 arrests and several criminal summonses. Um we had a couple of significant events. Uh one on uh January 13th, the Rainham Police and Fire responded to a report of a motor vehicle uh crashing into a home at 1577 Broadway after a brief investigation. It appeared the Mill's driver suffered a medical issue and was transported by ambulance to Boston Medical Center South. Um the home suffered significant damage to the lower level, uh, leaving the homeowner temporarily displaced. I I think he still is. Um and I just want to commend the police and fire who responded to that scene. Um and the uh snowstorm on January 25th and 26th. Uh I want to thank all the members of the police and fire department who worked throughout that storm, and I appreciate the dedication, um, their dedication to ensure everyone was safe throughout the community. Um I want to extend a special thanks to the members of the Midnight Ship who shoveled all the walkways around the department. There was a lot of shoveling. Um and I'd also like to uh give recognition to the highway department. They did a tremendous job keeping the roads open for everybody, um, especially being short-handed. Um and we have one officer who is currently on IOD.

SPEAKER_06:

Thank you, Chief. Uh questions, comments, Mr. Bachipa?

SPEAKER_03:

No questions, um, but once the two of you get done, do we want to take the other two? Yes, okay.

SPEAKER_07:

And Mr. Crohn's questions, comments, but as always, Chief, thank you and the members of your department for everything you do to keep us safe. And you can stay right there because our next item is appointments, and we have a police officer, Liam Lochin. And Chief, do you want to tell us about this?

SPEAKER_00:

So, uh, he's actually um gonna be replacing someone that would retired on a medical a while ago. Um, we just haven't um been able to fill the position. Um, so he he is fully academy trained. He's currently working as a police officer in C CONT, but they're not civil service. So he's on our civil service list, so um we're gonna bring him on as um as a full-time police officer with your approval.

SPEAKER_07:

And we get to bring him home because I notice he's uh ring him resident, correct? Excellent.

SPEAKER_00:

Yes.

SPEAKER_07:

Questions, comments, Mr. Pachica?

SPEAKER_03:

Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_02:

Second.

SPEAKER_07:

Okay, motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing on all in favor, any opposed, unanimous vote. And then we have another item here, Chief. Also, I believe that pertains to you. So, Mr. Pachica, we want to move that up.

SPEAKER_03:

Yes, uh, 9B. I'd motion to approve uh the filling of the permanent full-time comms clerk dispatcher position, which is created by retirement of a longtime employee, Greg Zaha. Yes.

SPEAKER_07:

Motion made in Senghidi, do you want to comment on that at all, Chief?

SPEAKER_00:

I just want to uh uh Greg just gave me his notice. I know he's been uh putting it back and forth for a while now. Um he sees you know central dispatch isn't too far off, and I think he's just ready. Um that's a stressful job. Um, but I commend him for all his years of service. I think he's been there 19, almost 20 years. Um, but he's gonna uh retire in April, and um he's gonna use some of his time up before he leaves. So um we'll we have a part-time dispatcher that we're gonna offer the position to when once he retires.

SPEAKER_07:

Excellent. He wrote a very nice resignation letter, if I could read that, Chief.

SPEAKER_00:

Sure.

SPEAKER_07:

Um, it's addressed obviously to you. After much thought and careful consideration, I respectfully submit my letter of retirement to you effective April 25th, 2026. My last day of work will be March 12th. It has been an honor to work for the town of Greenham Police Department for the past approximately 20 years, both part-time and full-time. During this time, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve the residents of Greenham. Respectfully submitted, Gregory Chaha. So we appreciate all of his efforts over the years.

SPEAKER_00:

We do, and we wish him luck.

SPEAKER_07:

Absolutely. So we have a motion made and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing on all in favor. Any opposed? It is so voted.

SPEAKER_00:

Thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_07:

Okay, we have no public hearing scheduled this evening. Uh completion of older continuing business. Do you have anything, Mr.

SPEAKER_03:

None, Madam Chair?

SPEAKER_07:

Mr. Collins, Mr. Um, Mr. Greg, do you have anything to do with it? I do not, thank you. Thank you. And we move then to new business. And topping our new business agenda is our favorite part, Rainham Recognition Award presentation, and we have the privilege and honor of uh presenting that this evening to Tia LeBrec, just to give you a little bit of background information. The Rhenium Recognition Award is an award created by this board and awarded by the board periodically to any town resident or residence, town group or organization, or town employee or town official deserving a special recognition. The award could be for an individual act of courage or kindness for achieving a particular goal or accomplishment, for a worthy achievement, or for years of dedication or service. The recognition award is designed to provide an opportunity to celebrate the positive efforts of the award recipients, thereby contributing to the goal of promoting a sense of mutual respect, teamwork, and community spirit within the town government as well as across the greater community. Any town resident or residence, town group or organization, or town employee or town official can be nominated, and anyone can nominate any of those individuals. Some of our past recipients have included retired police chief Peter King, retired school resource officer Luca Chico, American Legion Post 405, former Town Clerk Helen Loundsbury, and most recently our Rhenium Community Services Director Aaron Medeiros. And as mentioned, Tia LeBrec was actually nominated, and our board voted unanimously to make the presentation to Tia. And since Mr. Collins actually drafted the form for us and wrote a very nice presentation, I'd ask you to do that if you would for us.

SPEAKER_02:

Tia earned a position on the United States Women's Death Olympics soccer team and represented our country at the 2025 Death Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, the highest level of international competition for death athletics worldwide. Tia distinguished herself as the youngest member of Team USA, starting in every match, contributing four goals and three assists to help meet the team with a gold medal victory, a gold medal victory in the championship match. Behind this achievement is a powerful story of perseverance. Not as limits, but as opportunities for growth with dedication and resilience, she has turned challenges into strength, a lesson that extends far beyond the soft field. Her accomplishment is a testament to years of discipline, resilience, and commitment. Through hard work and determination, she has not only reached a world stage, but she has represented Brainland with exceptional character, sportsmanship, and pride. Tia, the community is incredibly proud of you. You remind us what is possible and dedication means opportunity. On behalf of the town of Brainland, we congratulate you on your remarkable achievement and look forward to all that lies ahead.

SPEAKER_07:

Thank you, Mr. Collins. Would you like to add anything?

SPEAKER_03:

Very proud of you, Tia. I had the chance ahead of uh you coming in to read some of the stories out there about you, and I think um they did a far better job than I could to articulate your accomplishments. But uh please know for what it's worth, those of us here in town are very proud to have you as a resident here, and we really look forward to see what you accomplish in the future.

SPEAKER_07:

Absolutely. And we have a little uh plaque here for you, Tia, if you want to come up. This is the Rhenium Select Board hereby presents the Rhenium Recognition Award to Tia LeBrec for extraordinary dedication, perseverance, and athletic excellence in helping the United States women's deaf national soccer team to a gold medal by contributing four goals and three assists in the 2025 Deaf Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. We congratulate and commend you for your efforts and accomplishments in presenting this on this date, February 10th, 2026. It's signed by myself as the chairperson, Mr. Joseph Chico, vice chairperson, and Mr. Kenneth Collins Clerk. And just say, Tia, you've accomplished more than many of us accomplished in our entire lives, and with the challenges that you've had to face, we are so, so proud of you.

SPEAKER_05:

Absolutely.

unknown:

Yes.

SPEAKER_05:

One, two, three.

SPEAKER_07:

And you may be excused. We don't know.

SPEAKER_05:

We won't make it all.

SPEAKER_07:

That was the best part, but sure you're gonna do that. Thank you so much.

unknown:

Thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_07:

Okay, and getting back to business here. Next on our agenda for new business, we have discussion and we already took care of that, discussion and vote on building a full-time communications clerk. Discussion and vote on Bristol County Mosquito Control, aerial mosquito larvacide spray permission. And we have a letter here from Priscilla Matton from the um Bristol County Mosquito Control. And um as she writes, it is almost springtime. That sounds so good with it snowing out there in the so cold. And I'm requesting aerial permission to conduct an aerial mosquito larvacide only application over the town. Um they have the attached FFA regulation included. Basically, the Responsible Flight Standards Office has approved the congested area plan, and now we as the appropriate governing body need to approve as well. And basically, I am looking, this is an annual thing that happens every year. I'm looking for a motion that says we, the board of the select board of the town of Rainham, grant permission to Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project to fly over the town of Rainham to apply mosquito larvacide to wetlands by aircraft between April 2026 and October 2026 on behalf of the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project. Do we have a motion?

SPEAKER_03:

So moved.

SPEAKER_07:

Motion is made and seconded. Any discussion. Hearing then, all in favor? Any opposed? So voted. And if anyone has any questions, you can contact Bristol County Mosquito Control at the office number is 508-823-5253. And Priscilla Matson is the person you want to speak to. Okay, and that is approved. So moving on. Next we have discussion and vote on memorandum of understanding entered into uh with and with Bridgewater Renium Regional School District in the town of Bridgewater regarding capital assessment and appropriation. Mr. Bonds, do you want to just explain to us a little bit about this?

SPEAKER_01:

Yes, uh, you may recall that uh during the last uh budget uh year we had an issue where um uh the state challenged the uh towns in the school district on the fact that we had voted uh uh the capital uh they had assessed the capital in the spring, but not all the capital was being voted until the fall. Um according to the state's interpretation. If it's assessed, it should be appropriated at the same time it's uh in the same season it's assessed. Uh so this agreement is basically all it really does is says the schools will make the assessment of the capital in the fall, and both Bridgewater and Rainham will appropriate the capital for the uh schools in the fall as well.

SPEAKER_07:

Um thank you for um doing the background work to make that happen, Mr. Bonds. Any further discussion? Hearing in all in favor, in opposed, so voted. Okay, next we have permission to allow fire department to enter into an agreement and expand funds for the firefighter safety equipment grant. And this comes from our fire chief, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services has opened the application period for the firefighter safety equipment grant. I am respectfully requesting the select board's approval to apply for this funding opportunity on behalf of the fire department. This grant does not require any matching funds or financial contribution from the town. In prior years, this program has provided significant benefits to the department, including the purchase of a gear dryer and upgrades to fire hoses and nozzles. These improvements directly enhanced fire safety and operational readiness. Approval to apply will allow the department to pursue additional safety equipment at no cost to the town. Sincerely, Brian Lasivida, Far Chief. Mr. Bachica.

SPEAKER_03:

Motion to approve pursuing but also expending upon uh award. Okay.

SPEAKER_07:

Um motion is made and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing and all in favor? I'm opposed. So voted. Uh next, we have discussion and vote on letter in support of Senate Bill 1370, an act relative to snow removal service liability limitation. Mr. Barnes, do you have any information you can explain to us what this is about?

SPEAKER_01:

Actually, I think uh Joe Pacico wished this to be on the agenda.

SPEAKER_03:

This was my request, Madam Chair. If you recall two weeks ago, uh I talked about the challenges our highway department is facing, but uh highway departments across the Commonwealth related to attracting snow plow drivers, and it led me to have some conversations, and subsequently I found this legislation that uh Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr had filed, and essentially what it does is work to eliminate some of the obstacles uh that plow drivers are facing, specifically the shifting of liability to the plow driver, which makes the cost of the insurance policies uh prohibitive uh in terms of the finances for them to take on contracts on top of everything else. And so essentially what this would do if it is passed is reduce liability on independent plow drivers, and in theory, we'll hopefully allow some of them to come back into the fold to plow again. Uh and so all this does is offer our support to hopefully get this legislation passed.

SPEAKER_07:

Okay. And so you want to make that as a motion? Yes.

SPEAKER_03:

Okay.

SPEAKER_07:

Okay, any discussion? Hearing none all in favor? Any opposed? So voted. Next we have tag day requests for June 13th and June 14th for our renium youth baseball basketball association.

SPEAKER_03:

So moved to second.

SPEAKER_07:

Motion is made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none all in favor? Any opposed? So voted. And now we have four kennel license renewals. Um I suppose we probably should take them one at a time. Um first is Pachico Kennels at 830 Judson Street, and these have all been up. This has been approved by our animal control officer, Ariel Howard.

SPEAKER_03:

Madam Chair, I don't legally need to recuse myself, but I'm going to. Um sure.

SPEAKER_07:

Okay. So you will make that motion, and I will second that. And I will do, and with no further discussion, I'll do a roll call vote. Mr. Pachico.

SPEAKER_03:

Abstain.

SPEAKER_07:

Mr. Collins, and I vote in the affirmative, so it passes with two in favor, one abstention, and no opposition. And next we have kennel license for renewal for Kaluna Kennels at 197 Carver Street.

SPEAKER_03:

So moved.

SPEAKER_07:

Motion made and seconded. Any discussion? Again, this comes with the approval of our animal control officer who conducted the inspection. Uh all in favor?

unknown:

Aye.

SPEAKER_07:

Any oppos all in favor? Aye, sorry. No problem. Any opposed? So voted. Next we have counter license renewal for Northeast K9 Unlimited, 1789 Broadway.

SPEAKER_03:

So moved.

SPEAKER_07:

Second. Any discussion? Hearing and all in favor? Any opposed? So voted. And lastly, we have a count of license renewal for Pine Land at 321 Leonard.

SPEAKER_03:

So moved.

SPEAKER_07:

Motion made and seconded. Any discussion. Hearing and all in favor. Any opposed? So voted. And that do you have any other in your business, Mr. Mr. Collins? That takes us to our town administrators' report, Mr. Barnes.

SPEAKER_01:

Uh Yes, um I uh two things. Uh first of all I w uh last week I met with uh the North Renum uh water district plus uh state officials on a uh on a um Zoom call. Um and the c topic of conversation was 138. We talked about the uh installation of a water line on the east side of 138. You uh that's you recall the there was a grant to the North Marinum Water District through the town of 3.5 million, and they're in the process of working it out with the state exactly where that uh line will go. Um I also had conversations of state officials. Uh one uh uh big revelation was the states wanting to revise the plan for 138 further due to cost issues when asked as to how they're changing the already revised scope. Uh they're still in the process of uh engineering that, but uh I'm expecting a uh second revision of the revision. The concern I have is it may result in the sidewalks on the west side no longer being installed. Uh so I'm um following up on that as to what exactly the state is doing. The state did indicate their hope to do the actual milling paving next year in 2027, um, but uh again I have received word they are revising the scope of the project due to cost overruns. Um uh secondly, uh I met today uh with uh Bristol Um Plymouth, uh the assistant superintendent there, and some other officials, and we're looking at what Bristol Plymouth might be able to do in terms of assisting the town in some various uh uh projects we have. The one we focused on is, as you know, as part of the new location for the public safety facility. Uh, we're gonna have to move the police, and the police will be moved to the North School. So the North School uh, for lack of a better term, has really good bones to it. I think it's a structurally very sound building, but it does have some issues when it comes to paint, when it comes to lighting, when it comes to the windows, and we're hoping um uh Bristol Plymouth might be able to possibly assist us on that. We also have some other buildings, as you know, with issues, and I'll be bringing them up. The one catch to all of this if lead paint's involved, they can't do it. So I'm hoping uh we'll do some testing and hopefully there's no lead paint, but uh we're hoping to engage them in some projects here in town. And that's it. Thank you.

SPEAKER_07:

Thank you, Mr. Barnes. Any questions from Mr. Barnes?

SPEAKER_01:

Thank you.

SPEAKER_07:

And that takes us to select board reports, Mr. Pacheco. Do you have anything for us this evening?

SPEAKER_03:

Nothing this evening, Mr.

SPEAKER_07:

Collins. Okay, I have a couple of things. On this Thursday afternoon at 2 30 at our senior center, our friends of the Rainham Council on Aging are have a continuation of their organizing meeting. They are trying to reorganize and they need uh seven people to serve on their board of directors. I'm not sure if they have a full seven at this point. So anyone who is interested, um, that meeting is 2 30 this Thursday, or you can call Erin Medeiros over at the Senior Center prior to that if you want more information about that. Also, next Tuesday, February 17th at 10 a.m., there's a ribbon cutting ceremony at our latest um new business in town wing stop, which is on Route 44 at 325 New State Highway. That's in that little plaza across from Shaw's um Shaw's Plaza. And also um we received an invitation to the board, actually to the community. Um it comes from former school committee member Lillian Holbrook, who is um involved with the Bridgewater Rhenium Educational Foundation. And it says, on behalf of the Bridgewater Rhenium Educational Foundation, I am delighted to invite you to our annual Starry Night Gala on Saturday, March 14th at Barrett's Old Scotland Lynx in Bridgewater. This special evening brings together community members, educators, and supporters to celebrate and enhance educational opportunities for students in the Bridgewater Rhanium Regional School District. Guests will enjoy a night of dinner dancing and live entertainment by the Silver Arrow Band, all while supporting our mission to fund innovative programs that enrich the educational experience of our students. Your presence at the gala would mean a great deal to us as we recognize the dedication of our faculty staff and continue our efforts to make a lasting impact on our schools. We hope you can join us on this memorable evening. To learn more about the gala and our foundation, please visit our website, which is www.bridgewaterrainham educational foundation.com slash annual gala. We look forward to celebrating with you under the stars. Warm regards, Lillian Hobrook, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bridgewater Rainham Educational Foundation. And also just to mention that our organization, in cooperation with the Bridgewater Rainham Regional School District, and our Rainham Public Library is now planning read across America for the first week in March in our Rainham schools. So those of you who have been among our special guests, you can expect a text, an email, or a phone call. And that is all that I have. Next we come to correspondence, and we have a letter from Senator Kelly Dooner regarding manufactured housing insurance bill. As dear Chair Riley and members of the Rainham Select Board, I am writing to share an update on my legislation addressing rising insurance costs for residents of manufactured housing communities, an issue that continues to affect many families in Rainham and across the Commonwealth. I am pleased to report that Senate Bill 2919, an act addressing rising insurance costs for manufactured home residents, has been reported favorably out of committee, marking an important step forward in the legislative process. I want to sincerely thank manufactured and mobile housing residents who have advocated on this issue and shared their personal experiences. Their voices have been instrumental in advancing this legislation. I am also grateful to local elected officials and my colleagues in the legislature for their leadership and collaboration in advocating for and moving this bill forward. This progress is a strong example of what can be accomplished when local and state officials work together toward a common goal on behalf of the residents we serve. The legislation establishes a special commission to examine rising insurance premiums, limited coverage options, the impact of state regulations, and the adequacy of existing consumer protections, including the FAIR plan. The commission will be composed of legislators and state agency officials. In addition, our office worked directly with the committee on updated language that adds a representative of the Manufactured Housing Federation and a resident of a manufactured housing community to the Commission. Thank you again to the residents and local leaders who helped elevate this issue. I look forward to continuing our work together and we'll keep you informed as the bill progresses. Sincerely, Senator Kelly. And that brings us to press time. We actually have somebody here. Do you have something for me?

SPEAKER_05:

I have no question.

SPEAKER_07:

Well, we're very happy to have you with us, Dan, so thank you. Um that brings us to emergency business, Mr. Vegeta, Mr. Collins, Mr. Barnes.

SPEAKER_01:

Um no emergency business. I want to clarify on what I said before the temporary home of the police in North School.

SPEAKER_07:

Oh yes, definitely. Citizen and community input. Do we have any citizen and community input? Performance of administrative duties, just to report that I and our finance director have reviewed and signed off on the tongue of reign and invoice and payroll warrants for this week, February 10th, as well as last week, um, February 3rd. And with that, that concludes our meet our business in open session. I am looking for a motion to go into executive session in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 38, Section 21A2, 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 relative to the police captain, fire chief, and police union that is the Ringham 911 operators. Do I have a motion? So moved. Motion and second. Roll call vote. Mr. Vichico, Mr. Collins, Chair votes aye at 7 31 p.m. We are going to move into executive session. Again, thank you all for joining us.