Raynham Select Board 02/17/2026

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

A hard New England winter has a way of revealing what a town is made of. We kick off with clear-eyed updates from our fire chief—4,030 total emergency responses last year, a 38% jump since 2019—along with the training and outreach that keep response times strong and neighbors better prepared. Then the highway superintendent puts numbers to the grind: 41.4 inches of snow to date, about 1,700 tons of salt used, constant equipment maintenance, and a staffing pinch that forces smart route consolidation and cross-department teamwork. If you’ve ever wondered how plows show up when the forecast turns, here’s the blueprint.

We move from the streets to the ledger. With regional school assessments, vocational education, retirement, and health insurance pushing well above revenue growth, the budget gets tighter and trade-offs sharper. Licenses progress, minutes are approved, and we set a deadline for annual town meeting articles to give time for careful review. The board accepts resignations from Council on Aging members and opens recruitment across several committees. Volunteers matter more than ever; these roles shape decisions that touch daily life—senior services, local media, culture, and a new senior tax credit program.

Community spirit cuts through the cold. Scouts, church members, students, and local donors deliver Valentine bags to seniors and veterans, sending a quiet message of care. A new Wingstop opens on Route 44, adding energy and jobs. We also read a letter from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission clarifying the current, incomplete status of Raynham Park’s sports wagering license application and the path forward if it advances.

The night’s sharpest moment arrives during citizen input: a veteran public servant calls for a new formula for state local aid—a fixed percentage of the state revenue generated by each city and town. The argument is direct and timely: predictable funding would stabilize schools, protect core services, and end the yearly scramble that forces towns to choose between layoffs and levy limits. Agree or not, the case is clear, and the stakes are local.

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Transcript

Meeting Opens & Housekeeping

SPEAKER_06 0:00

And welcome. I'm going to call the meeting to order of the Rainham Select Board on Tuesday, February 17th, 2020. 2020 here at Veterans Memorial Town Hall at 558 South Main Street. Call the meeting to order at 7 o'clock p.m. And welcome. Just want to announce this meeting is open to the public. It is also being broadcast live on 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 with a Pledge of Allegiance.

SPEAKER_03 0:45

Underground individual justice.

Fire Department By The Numbers

SPEAKER_06 0:53

We have the regular session of February 10th, 2020. The executive session of February 20th, February 10th, 2020, withheld from public release at this time, and the minutes of the joint meeting that was held with the Bridgewater Regional School District and Bridgewater town officials on January 21st, 2026. Do we have a motion to accept this? So moved. Motion is made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing and all in favor. Any opposed? So voted. Next we have our department head reports, and first we have our fire chief, Brian Lasivida, with his monthly report. Welcome, Chief.

SPEAKER_00 1:33

Good morning. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening.

SPEAKER_06 1:37

Yeah, it certainly has.

SPEAKER_00 1:38

It's not even Monday. This is the report for January of this 2026. We did 97 fire calls, 233 medical emergencies, and 91 inspectional service calls. We do have one firefighter that's out with a knee injury. He does have an appointment, I think, at the end of this week, but I think that's more of a long-term injury than something that's going to be fixed quickly. We did participate in the BR wellness fair over at the high school for the uh the regional staff. Our department, along with Bridgewater Fire, taught to stop the bleed to some teachers as they came through as some of their professional development. So it's always good to get out in that capacity and uh build some relationships over there. And I'll just give you some uh year-end things. Uh last year we did 4,030 calls, emergency responses, which is the most we've ever done. That's a 38% increase since 2019. Of those 4,030, 2,880 were medical emergencies. And then we did another about 1,600 or so inspectional service calls with one deck. Um that does not get done without the firefighters, the command staff, and the administrative staff and the support of the community. That puts us in a very busy spot. Um the firefighters and the and the and the lieutenants and the captains and the deputy do a heck of a lot of work to make that all run smoothly without any hiccups or minimal hiccups anyway. That's all I have.

SPEAKER_06 2:58

Thank you, Chief. Questions, comments, Mr. Bachie? No questions, thanks, Chief.

SPEAKER_00 3:02

No questions. Mr. Collins, thanks.

SPEAKER_06 3:04

Yeah, no questions, and thank you, and all the members of the UF for keeping us safe.

SPEAKER_02 3:08

Thank you.

SPEAKER_06 3:09

Thank you, Chief. Uh next we have uh our highway superintendent, Norm Sturdivant, with his monthly report. Welcome, Mr. Sturtevant. Thank you. Good evening.

Wellness Outreach & Year-End Surge

Highway Update: Snow And Salt

SPEAKER_01 3:19

There are some updates from the highway department. Uh I can sum most of it up with two words, snow and ice. We've been uh very busy the last well, the whole season really with snow and ice. Uh the year to date total for snow totals for the town of Rainham is 41.4 inches. Uh, that is above the average of the 33 to 35 inches Rainham usually receives. The state averages 39 annually, just some fun facts. Um we have used approximately 1,700 tons of salt so far, and with the weekend and the week's forecast uh ahead, I think those numbers are gonna go up drastically. Um salt shed is in much better shape with supply, uh, as you folks are probably aware on the news is carried the story getting our salt delivery to left the east coast. Uh, we were thankful a ship had come in last Tuesday, a day ahead of schedule, and our vendors from OSD have been uh very good about getting us some loads. It's trickling in, it's not quite as fast as we'd like it, especially with the pending storms, but we're okay for right now. Um the crews, the other divisions have been busy just with maintenance and repairs to the trucks and snow equipment. Um, solid waste was able to order two new 15-yard dumpsters for glass, and that was paid for through the grant that Master EP had uh awarded Rainham, so that was great. Uh we've been busy working on uh various easements for some upcoming spring projects and of course working on the budget. Um lastly, we had some requests for some pothole filling, and we are gonna get to that hopefully Thursday. We're a little bit behind, so if if any of the folks out there are listening will be out there this week for sure. And that's all I have.

SPEAKER_05 4:57

Questions, comments, Mr. Pacific?

SPEAKER_04 4:58

Oh, no questions. Thanks, sir. Mr.

SPEAKER_01 5:00

Collins.

SPEAKER_04 5:05

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_01 5:07

It's never a good week. We got some five in today. Yeah, it's good. They're they're good to us. We have two different vendors, one's treated, one's untreated. Um, we were looking at the back of the shed, and that's not good, so we can't see the wall in the back anymore. It's good. Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 5:23

No, how do we do with um snow plow drivers? I know that was a huge issue for us.

SPEAKER_01 5:28

Thankfully, we've had um several uh folks from other departments that I'd like to thank uh from fire, sewer, water, and cemetery have come out and filled our trucks, helping fill our trucks. Uh we've taken one of the ten routes that we have, and we had to uh put that into the other nine routes, uh local proximity to the other different routes. So we're filling the the routes, but it's it's been a challenge.

SPEAKER_06 5:52

Thanks to everyone helping out.

SPEAKER_01 5:54

We have a great staff, and we we get away with what we do because they are so dedicated, and I really appreciate that.

SPEAKER_06 5:59

Excellent.

SPEAKER_01 6:00

Thank you to you and all the members who help out.

SPEAKER_06 6:03

Thank you. Thank you. Uh next, we have no appointments this evening. We have no public hearings scheduled. Completion of old or continuing business. Do you have anything, Mr. Bitchin? None, madam, chair. Mr. Collins, Mr. Barnes, do you have any old or continuing business?

SPEAKER_03 6:19

I do not.

SPEAKER_06 6:20

So we move to new business. And first on the agenda, we have set the closing date for the articles to be submitted for the annual town meeting warrant. This is a good thing to hear since it is in May, which means hopefully snow and ice will soon be ending if May is coming around the corner. Mr. Barnes, you have a proposal for us.

SPEAKER_03 6:39

Uh yes, with the town meeting, uh annual town meeting being May 18th and wanting at least a month uh for review and and any um uh cleaning up of the articles. Um we are proposing that the deadline for articles be Monday, April 13th.

SPEAKER_04 7:01

So move.

SPEAKER_06 7:03

Maybe any further discussion? Aryan and all in favor. Any opposed? So voted.

SPEAKER_03 7:12

In terms of the opening, it's it's it's you can submit it at any time.

Staffing, Routes & Storm Logistics

SPEAKER_06 7:17

Okay, all right, thank you. Thank you. So anytime between now and then, yes. Okay, excellent. Next we have a Kenel license renewal for Diane Cotelli for 85 Prospect Kell Street. And we then, and again, these all come on the recommendation of our animal control officer, Ariel Howard, based on her inspection. Next we have one for AJ Bentley doing business as Performance Plus Canine at 51 Cromers Street.

SPEAKER_03 7:51

So that is a new one, not a renewal.

SPEAKER_06 7:53

That is a new one, not a renewal. Thank you, Mr. Barnes. Um, any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor? Any opposed? Uh so vote it. Uh next we have a resignation letter from my council aging member, Suzanne Burns. I might even inform you about my decision for the application of vice president of the Renam Council on Aging Board. Effective immediately. Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Renum Council on Aging. I wish the best to you and the other members going forward. Since Dilly Suzanne Burns, um motion would be in effect to accept with regret.

unknown 8:34

So motion.

SPEAKER_06 8:35

Motion made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none all in favor. Any opposed? So voted. And then we have a second letter from a council and aging member. This is Carol Storebear. Again, the vote for council meeting members. Regret my resignation from the board. It has been a pleasure serving sincerely Carol Storebear. Motion again with regret. Second, any further discussion? Hearing none all in favor. Any opposed? So voted. That gives us actually, because John Texera recently resigned as well, that gives us three open seats on the Council on Aging. I know they do have a few associate members, but we still need to appoint the full members. So that gives us, I think now, Mr. Barnes, three committees: the Iranium Cable Committee, the Iranium Council on Aging, and the Iranium Cultural Council that have openings. So we're advertising those on Facebook and not on Facebook, on our website on Facebook.

SPEAKER_03 9:40

Maybe we can try to get it on Facebook.

SPEAKER_04 9:42

I think we also have the uh senior tax credit committee as well, because that has, I believe, been approved by the Attorney General, correct, correct?

SPEAKER_03 9:50

Um yes, I believe uh we can advertise that as well.

SPEAKER_04 9:54

So I believe that's three residents.

SPEAKER_03 9:58

That is for three residents, that's correct. It also includes a member of the chair of the board of assessors and the treasurer uh would also be de facto members of that group.

SPEAKER_06 10:11

Okay, very good. So again, anyone who is interested, um send a letter of interest and a brief resume to the select board office, and or you can email that or um and we would be um happy to put that on the list. Next we have that brings oh, do you have any other new business, Mr. Pacico? Mr. Collins? So that brings us to Town Administrators' report. Mr. Barnes, do you have anything for us this evening?

Kennel Licenses & Board Resignations

SPEAKER_03 10:36

Uh just that uh the um income companies starting their budget project this year. Um I think it's gonna be a challenging year. Um we've gotten um preliminary numbers from uh the Bridgewater Rainum schools, uh from the Bristol Plymouth district, um from retirement, um, and also have a an idea what we will have health. Um those three budgets are over 50% of our budget, and all of them are running right now well above uh revenue growth. So uh given that 50, you know, it could be about 55 percent when you get right down to it, um, and and they're all running above revenue growth right now. So it'll be a challenging year. It was a challenging year last year, but as we have to tighten, it it gets more challenging.

SPEAKER_05 11:43

Thank you. Any questions or comments from Mr. Barnes? Mr. Collins? All right, select board report. Mr. Pacheco, do you have anything for us?

SPEAKER_04 11:51

No, and the administrative inclusive on the challenging budget. Uh, that's continuing to look like it's translating at the state level as well, so I'm not gonna really expand any further on that.

Committee Vacancies & Recruitment

Budget Outlook: Costs Outpace Revenue

Community Good News & Business Ribbon-Cut

SPEAKER_06 12:00

Thank you, Mr. Collins. I have a couple things. As you know, for our select board report, I'd like to highlight some of the good news stories from around our town and the recent issue of the buzz around Rainham at a heartwarming Valentine's Day related story that is definitely worth sharing. On February 7th, that snowy Saturday, if you remember earlier this month, a group of volunteers gathered at the Rainham Housing Authority's senior housing complex on Mill Street to assemble and deliver 100 bags of love to ensure every resident received a special Valentine's Day surprise. The collaborative effort included Rainham's sixth grade Girl Scout Troop, 780845, with families from the Children's Development Center, members of the First Congregational Church, and some eighth-grade junior National Honor Society students. Together, the children and adults work side by side to fill bags with bagels, pastries, candy, pretzels, and had handmade Valentine's Day cards created by the children and the staff at the Children's Development Center. This tradition began over 20 years ago by then Rainham Girl Scout Leader Carol Meeser and continued now by the sixth grade Girl Scout troop led by Scout Leader Tristan Jolly, who also recruited the eighth-grade volunteers. Once the bags were filled, the volunteers headed out into the falling snow to hang the bags on the residence doors. Not only did the gesture provide a nice early Valentine's Day treat for the seniors and veterans living in the housing complex, but for those who may not have a lot of regular visitors, it sent a heartfelt reminder that they are important and that others really do care about them. Those providing donations for this Valentine's Day treat included Panera Bread, Dunkin' Donuts, and Shaw's Supermarket, and members of the Stone Church who provided home-baked homemade baked goods. Congratulations to everyone involved and thank you to the Buzzaround Rainham for sharing the story. I understand that some of our Bridgewater Rainham Regional High School students also created over 1,500 Valentine's Day cards that they delivered to Bridgewater and Rainham Senior Centers. So kudos to our high school students as well. In other news, the Friends of the Rainham Council on Aging met last Thursday at the Senior Center and were successful in reorganizing. The now five member board of directors for the group includes Leah Smith, elected president, Rita Roy, elected vice president, Wanda Azevedo, continuing as Treasurer, Wendy Merrill, continuing as Secretary Clerk, and Chris Roy as the fifth director. We congratulate them and wish them the best as they attempt to increase the Friends Group membership in support of the Council on Aging and Senior Center. For more information about becoming a member of the Friends Group, you may contact the Senior Center. The next meeting of the Friends Group will take place on Thursday, March 12th at 2 30 at the Senior Center. And please note, you do not have to be a senior in order to become a member of the Friends Group. Lastly, Rainham's newest business, Wingstop, held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning. State Senator Kelly Dooner, State Representative Dennis Gallagher, and Chris Silva and her team from the Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce were among those welcoming Wingstop to their newest location. Speaking on behalf of the board, I also welcome them to Rainham and congratulated them on their wisdom in selecting Rainham for their location. And in particular, Busy Route 44. They are located in the plaza, right across from Shaw's Plaza, and we wish them well. And that is all I have. Under correspondence, we have a letter from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission regarding Rainham Park. And which I had here a moment ago. Thank you, sir. And it says, members of the select board, thank you for your letter of January 27th regarding Rainham Park, its application for a Massachusetts Category 2 sports wagering license, and the role the company plays in the local community. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has enjoyed a productive partnership with Rainham Park and its leadership since the Commission's formation in 2011 and maintains close communication regarding the temporary closing of the current facility. Massasoit Greyhound Association incorporated Rainham Park applied for a Category 2 sports wagering license in January 2023, and the Commission convened public deliberations of that application in June and August of 2023. At current Rainham Park's application status with the Commission is considered incomplete. However, the Commission remain has remained in close contact with representatives of Rainham Park since the submittal of their application. At present, the Commission is not aware of any actions by Rainham Park to advance the application beyond its current status. The Commission respects your interest in this matter and appreciates the importance of Rainham Park, its history in your community, and its economic importance to the region. Should Rainham Park present a completed application for a Category 2 sports wagering license to the Commission, it would be reviewed and evaluated in accordance with the Commission's statutory and regulatory criteria. Please contact me if there are additional ways in which I can assist the select board. Sincerely Dean Serpa, Executive Director. Next we have press time. Emergency business. Mr. Barnes, any emergency business? That brings us to citizen and community input. Anyone wishing to address the board? Name and address of the minutes, please. Mr. DuPont, not that we don't recognize you.

Gaming Commission Update On Rainham Park

Citizen Statement On Local Aid Reform

SPEAKER_02 17:49

James DuPont 118 Elm Street East for the minutes. I'll leave a copy of my remarks. I'm doing this tonight as a private citizen, and uh this is a message directly to the Board of Selectmen, Administrator, and the Finance Committee. I got a prepared statement that uh runs a little less than three minutes. Good evening, members of the board. I come tonight to deliver a message regarding a matter of grave and immediate importance to the town of Rainham, its elected local officials and its residents. The issue is twofold. First, it concerns the decades-long underfunding by the Massachusetts State Legislature of the various categories of so-called local aid. Remember one year, Joe, you get it, it was so much you and Don said, why don't you just keep it? I remember that, Joe. Which, as you all know, is a significant factor in setting the rate of the local property tax and hence how much the property owners are asked by you to pay. A recently published news article, remarks by Taunton Mayor Shauna O'Connell, expressed her concern for the stagnation of returning state revenue to the cities and towns. Mayor O'Connell, of course, a tenure member of the state legislature. Prior to fiscal year 81, the first year in which Proposition 2.5 was in effect, the cities and towns simply put another nickel on the tax rate to make up any shortfall and local aid and went on with things. After Proposition 2.5 took effect, the cities and towns were limited in how much they could raise the prior year's tax levy. Consequently, many local services were paired back due to the annual recurring shortfalls, but life at the local level went on. This brings me to my second point. Where does so-called state revenue come from? It's not the tooth fair thing. The answer is it comes from every resident and business in every city and town, including Rainham. Why isn't that money being returned to the people like you, and him, Chief Pacific, who need it for day-to-day things like police, fire, seniors, veterans, and schools? It's been my experience, 18 years on the BR Regional School Committee, three years, six years of the selecting. It's been my experience, and I've been tracking this since 1973 annually. It's been my experience that our state legislators have not made full funding of local aid a priority. Members of the majority party bemoan how tough things are this year on Beacon Hill, and we're already hearing that about how tough it is for them. The minority party elected representatives shrug their shoulders and say, there isn't much I can do about it. Last year, our town's annual budget process resulted in a failure to pay the regional school district's annual assessment. After a failed proposition two and a half override, a large layoff of school employees then followed. 40. And it appears there may be another 30 this year. A resident I discussed this with said, sounds like bad management to me. When I responded, it wasn't bad management, but rather a shortfall caused by our state legislators not fully funding aid to education. The biggest category of local aid to any city or town, including this one. His response, it sounds like our local government mismanaged their relationships with our state legislators. Madam Chairman, this leads me to the conclusion that the time has come for all local elected officials to demand their respective state legislators change the way local aid is calculated from a current here's what's left. To here's a fixed percentage of how much your city or town produced in terms of state tax revenue. Because whenever you ask them for more, the first thing they say to you and you and you, this gentleman here is where you're going to get it from. How about where it came from in the first place? This town and this board, which I had the pleasure and privilege of serving on with John McKinnon, you created the environment that made someone want to live here. You created the conditions that made somebody want to do business here. And that revenue that's produced by those residents who choose to live here or do business here should come back to us. It seems eminently fair that if your town provides these services that lead a resident or a business to locate in your town, then a fixed portion of the state taxes paid by them should go back to you. As long as our state reps and state senators can get lauded for getting us half a loaf, then the residents and businesses will be told to make up the difference, and you, the three of you, will have to bear the brunt of the public's hire. Not the governor, not the legislature, the board of selectmen, the school committee, and the finance committee will be accused of bad management, overspending, etc. It's just not true. We need to change the way local aid is calculated as well as distributed and make it a fixed percentage of the state revenue that came from each city and town. Hear these words. Let them do massive layoffs to accommodate the shortfall instead of making the town of Rainham and the other 350 cities and towns do their dirty work. Thank you, Madam Chairman, and the board for your time. I'll leave a copy of my remarks with the secretary for the minutes.

SPEAKER_05 23:08

Thank you, Mr. President.

SPEAKER_02 23:09

Thanks for anything.

SPEAKER_06 23:12

Okay, um I don't see anyone else. So next we have performance of administrative duties. Just to report that I and the finance director have reviewed and signed off on the town of Ranium invoice and payroll warrants dated February 17, 2026. And that brings us to the end of our agenda. So I am looking for a motion to adjourn. Motion is made and seconded. Any all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? We are adjourned at 7 22 p.m. Thank you for joining us.