Raynham Select Board 05/05/2026

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

Your town’s biggest decisions rarely arrive with dramatic music. They show up as motions, votes, and hard numbers, and this Raynham Select Board meeting is a clear look at how local government actually works. We start by reorganizing the board after the annual town election, welcoming a new member, and setting leadership roles that guide everything from policy to process.

From there, we hear deep, practical reporting from public safety. The Police Department shares April call volume, arrests, and two standout cases: a shoplifting investigation that led to significant drug seizures and multiple charges, plus a dangerous knife incident resolved without further injury. The Fire Department adds its own April snapshot, including medical emergencies, inspectional calls, mutual aid during structure fires, and how staffing shifts when someone is out on a line of duty injury. We also approve updated ambulance rates based on a regional rate survey, a reminder that emergency services depend on sustainable operating decisions.

A major public hearing follows: Verizon’s cable license renewal ascertainment of needs. We explain what the hearing is and is not, invite public comment, and hear from RayCAM about what public access TV needs next, including modern microphones, reliable feeds, and true high definition meeting coverage so residents can see and hear local government clearly. We then move through licensing items, staffing agreements, consultant and insurance approvals, and other operational votes that keep town services moving.

The heart of the night is the annual Town Meeting warrant, including Article 8 proposing $625,564 as a gift to the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District to add classroom teachers and reduce projected class sizes for Raynham students in grades K through 8. School leadership explains the staffing intent, the flexibility based on enrollment, and the real classroom impact behind the numbers.

Listen, subscribe, and share this with a neighbor who cares about Raynham local politics, school funding, and public safety, then leave us a review and tell us: what would you prioritize at Town Meeting?

Transcript

Board Reorganization And Minutes

SPEAKER_11 0:12

Thank you. Our next order of business. Um, well, actually, before that, I just want to officially welcome Matt Andrade to the board.

SPEAKER_09 0:22

Thank you. Excited.

SPEAKER_11 0:24

Very good. And um, next is our annual reorganization of the select board following the annual town election. The board always reorganizes. Um we need a nomination and a vote for chair, for a vice chair, and for people, and so I will open up to nominations.

SPEAKER_09 0:45

And I could uh make a motion and nominate your hearing.

SPEAKER_11 0:51

I will second that.

SPEAKER_09 1:14

I'd like to make a nomination to I'd like to make a motion and nominate Riley and Michael.

SPEAKER_10 1:20

I will second that. Any other nominations being none all in favor? Aye, aye. And I will entertain a motion to the clerk of the board. And I will second that. Any other nominations being none all in favor? That is approved unanimously. Uh just a quick note, Ms. Riley, thank you uh for your leadership of this past year. We certainly appreciate your steady hand. Uh echo Ms. Riley's comments to you. Mr. Andre, congratulations, welcome aboard. We look forward to working with you, and uh congratulations to all those uh who were on the ballot uh on uh election day on Saturday. Uh it's always uh uh a test of your character to put your name forward on the ballot so everybody deserves that recognition and appreciation. Uh with that, I'll entertain a motion to accept the minutes of the regular session of 421 and executive session, which are withheld from public release, also on 421.

SPEAKER_11 2:17

That motion as printed.

Police April Calls And Major Incidents

SPEAKER_10 2:21

Second, and uh any discussion. Seeing none, all in favor? That is approved. Department head is our police chief table plan date.

SPEAKER_01 2:35

So uh uh stats for the month of April. Uh we had 2,501 calls for service. Uh 407 of those were emergency 911 calls, and of those, uh 93 were emergency medical dispatch calls. Uh we had 10 arrests and seven several criminal summits. Uh we had a couple of uh notable incidents last month. Um the first one, as a result of a shoplifting incident at 36 Paramount Drive on April 1st, members of the day shift seized drugs and five people were charged with various crimes. A 41-year-old from New Bedford uh was arrested and charged with trafficking and 36 grams or more of cocaine and possession of a class A substance for a subsequent offense. Um shoplifting and concealing merchandise and trespassing. A 42-year-old male was uh from random was arrested and charged with possession of a class A, shoplifting by concealing. Um 35-year-old female from Taunton was arrested and charged with shoplifting by concealing merchandise. A 36-year-old male uh from Taunton was arrested and charged with shoplifting by concealing merchandise, and a 45-year-old female from New Battle was summoned to shoplifting uh by concealing merchandise. A total of 48 grams of crack cocaine and two grams of fentanyl was seized. I appreciate all the effort. Um, this this incident took a long time uh to investigate and uh between all the uh charges, and I uh appreciate their dedication and effort. On April 2nd, uh Sergeant Frank Pachico and Patrolman Brian Silver responded to uh 130 Briar Cliff Road for a well-being check upon arrival. Officers were met by a 26-year-old man who was suffering from non-life-threatening slash wounds. An investigation revealed that the man was slashed by his roommate who appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Officers entered the apartment where they were met by the 26-year-year-old female. Uh, despite the officers' numerous commands to drop the knife, she advanced towards them. Uh, patrolman Silver drew his taser, and when the woman continued advancing uh towards them with the knife and refusing to comply, uh Officer Silver deployed his Taser. As a result, the woman dropped the knife and was taken into custody. The victim was transported to the hospital by an ambulance. The suspect was transported to the hospital for evaluation and was summoned to court on charges of assault and battery causing serious borderly injury. Um I commend both officers for their actions and their restraint, uh which brought a very serious situation under control, allowing them to resolve it without without further injury. Um the 10th of April, members of the split ship responded to 1830 Broadway to assist the Rainham Fire Department with a man who was suffering serious lower upper body injuries from an industrial incident. That man was transported to Rhode Island Hospital. For community service on April 25th, members of the Rainham Police Department participated in uh polar plunge for the Special Olympics of Massachusetts. Um the event was held at Mastery Cadillac, GMC. I'd like to thank Sergeant Frank Michiko, Patrol Woman Carrie Mello, and Heather Career for participating in the event. Uh the total event in Rainham raised over$20,000 toward the Special Olympics in Massachusetts.

SPEAKER_11 6:29

Uh no questions, but there's an awful lot of excellent police work and certainly commend you and the members of the department for that, and please express our thanks to you and to them for all that you do. I appreciate that.

SPEAKER_01 6:43

Thank you.

SPEAKER_09 6:43

Mr. Andrew, it looks good. I mean awesome police work as always.

SPEAKER_01 6:48

So thank you.

SPEAKER_09 6:50

Thank you.

Fire Department Stats And Ambulance Rates

SPEAKER_01 6:50

Thank you.

SPEAKER_09 6:51

All right, that was our fire tree for I am seminar.

SPEAKER_04 6:56

This is the report for the month of April. 202 medical emergencies or MBAs and 113 inspectional service calls. We do have one firefighter out on a line of duty injury who will be having surgery on Friday, and that's going to be an extended leave. He'll be out quite a bit. Um we did receive um the safety grant for education for seniors and uh for students in the school. Uh$6,698 go to teaching uh students about fire fire safety and$2,842 for senior safes. Uh same thing we had uh teach them about some fire safety and have some get-togethers. Uh we were busy last month with two structure fires. Um thanks to our mutual aid partners, uh we do more or less of the fire department. And the first arriving people at 8 Maori Street were myself, Captain Kelleher, and Deputy Johnson. So the old guys were there right out of the get. So it was good to have some mutual aid partners there and all our off-duty people that came uh to help us out. Um we do respond to Bridgewater from uh mutual aid fire. Uh last year we did 1,273 calls, and this year at this time we're at 1,298. And just as uh example of how busy we are, I looked at the numbers yesterday. We were at 1,320 for this year. Uh today uh at 5 o'clock we're at 1,050, so within 24 hours we did about 30 calls. That's all I have.

SPEAKER_11 8:28

Express our thanks to you and the members of your department for people safe. We appreciate it. Thank you.

Town Election Turnout And Future Outreach

SPEAKER_10 8:33

Mr. Henry, amazing work of the staff. That's awesome. Thank you. Chief, if you don't mind saying if the board doesn't object, I'll take a nine uh uh Q uh out of the board. I don't know if we have a Q on an agenda piece. Uh Chief, you're asking to update our ambulance rates. That's after a rate survey across the region uh and bringing it up to market. Uh anything you want to add to the result. Uh one more shallow. All in favor? Approved unanimously. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right, next up is our town clerk, Marsha Selvia.

SPEAKER_03 9:19

Congratulations and seeing you here.

SPEAKER_09 9:21

Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 9:23

Um this is just a quick report about our 2026 annual town election. It was held on Saturday, April 25th. The polls were open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 1,047 people voted, which were 8% of the registered voters in the town of Ringham. We had 173 absentee ballots cast, 20 vote by mail ballots cast. I wanted to thank our office staff, the board of the select board, the police department, highway department, the school department, and of course all the voters. Um all the legal posting requirements were met, as well as the various signs that were put around town by my husband who volunteered. Um our election information is posted on the town's website. And um, I attended a meeting with Town Administrator Barnes and Library Director Karen O'Brien last week regarding the possibility of also posting election information on social media. And I want to thank you for taking time out of your schedule to do that.

SPEAKER_11 10:21

And um that's uh yeah, just uh congratulations on all the work. We know an awful lot of work goes into preparing for the election, and I I know you and your staff um did went over above and beyond this time. I mean you I know how much you love being on cable and you haven't appeared on our Saturday night live election results.

SPEAKER_03 10:46

So I try my best not to right now. So thank you for all your efforts.

SPEAKER_11 10:51

Obviously, I know we hear that some people you know didn't know, but we do everything we can. We can always improve, and we always try to improve, you know, in in different ways. Um, do the best we can and keep trying to do that thank you to the board.

SPEAKER_09 11:08

Great work on another well-coordinated election. Thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 11:11

Thank you. Thank you. Um happy to sign in. Thank you. Thank you. Have a good night.

SPEAKER_10 11:24

Thank you. All right. Uh moving on, appointments. We have one. The Cultural Council is recommending the appointment of Evelyn Honeroy K.O. to the Cultural Council. What is the board of public?

SPEAKER_11 11:36

I'll make a motion to uh appoint.

Verizon Renewal Process And Public Comment

SPEAKER_10 11:38

Second. All in favor. That is approved unanimously. Uh it is now time we can get to the hearing. I will call our uh public hearing on Verizon License Renewal Ascertainment of need to order at 712 p.m. The town of Greenham Select Board as the cable television licensing authority under Mass General Laws. Chapter 166A, Section 1, will hold a public cable license renewal ascertainment hearing on May 5, 2026, 7.10 p.m. at Town Hall 558, South Main Street, Rainham as part of the town's Verizon Cable Television License Renewal Process. The Verizon license is due to expire on October 16, 2028, and the Federal Cable Act 47 USC 546 requires a public proceeding to ascertain the community's cable-related needs and interests as part of the license renewal process. Public comment is invited regarding Verizon license renewal needs and verizon performance. For further information and copies of renewal records, if any, contact the town administrator's office, town hall, by order of the select board as a licensing, license issuing authority. All interested parties will be heard at this time. Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_07 12:58

Thank you, Ms. Riley and gentlemen. I just want to um uh thank you uh first of all for um obtaining the services of Attorney August to assist us. He's an expert on cable-related uh laws, and he has helped us uh many times in the past. That's gonna make the cable advisory board's job easier. We also have one vacancy right now on the board, and I we have three applicants for our thanks to um Mr. Bonds for submitting all those things to me, and um we're going to have a meeting on May 19th to uh interview the three candidates. If there are any other candidates, I'm sure Mr. Bonds will give me the information. I'd like to talk a couple of things about the um uh cable. One thing uh in particular is I get almost every week an email or voicemail from someone complaining about the rates that um the both Comcast and Verizon set. The problem is we do not set the rates, neither do the local um politicians, they're all set by the FCC. And I sent letters to the FCC, other members of the board have called and sent letters and never hear anything back. Uh yeah, how it is with the uh federal government, they don't care, so um but that's the main thing. I always, like I said, almost every week I get someone complaining about the bill, and it hurts me to have to write a check for our uh cable at home. If anyone uh the has horizon has any uh questions, the uh town clerk's office has my email, they can contact and get that from the town clerk. I'll be happy to uh answer any questions. If the board has any questions right now, I spoke to Ms. To Attorney August prior to coming to the meeting. He assured me that if you have questions, I can give you his uh home phone number. He's gonna be sitting by the phone, he's watching the movie right at the movie at the meeting right now, and he would be happy to answer any questions you might have. I'd like to also uh mention two other things. Uh, number one, don't forget the uh library has a book sale on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of this week. And the other thing that's uh near and dear to my heart, having been an officer, today is the official um anniversary of the St. Ann Ringham Knights of Columbus. We're 35 years old today. On May 5th of uh 19 uh95, we received our uh official charter and our um bylaws which made it so we could do all we need to and could for the town and people in need. Thank you very much. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them. But uh we got to get ready for Verizon. Thank you.

RayCAM Upgrades For Better Public Access

SPEAKER_10 16:12

Thank you. Before I go to public comment, Council provides um some additional comments that he asked that I read. Uh, good evening, welcome to the town of Readingham Public Hearing and Verizon's Cable License Renewal. This hearing is part of the cable license renewal process to ascertain the community's cable related needs. By way of background from the public, Verizon's Town of Readingham Cable Television License expires on October 16, 2028. Federal and state law require the holding of public ascertainment proceedings, including this hearing. The select board is the statutory licensing authority, and the board's role at this time is to merely receive comments and testimony from the public and interest to persons about what cable related needs and interests are important to the public and to the town, and about how Verizon has performed under its existing license. At this hearing, we are not taking or proposing any actions on the renewal of Verizon's license. Members of the public, members of the Rayham Cable Television Advisory Commission, Rainham TV Raycam, members of the Select Board, and other attendees may all offer comments and/or questions. Before we go to public comment, we would like to recognize the Cable Advisory Commission, Raycam, and Verizon for their participation and assistance in the ongoing license renewal proceedings. In this proceeding, we are open to accepting comments about all cable-related matters of interest to the public. Please keep your comments no longer than three minutes. Note that this process of ascertaining cable needs will remain open until further notice so that even after tonight's hearing, the public will have further opportunities to submit written comments into the license renewal record for consideration by the town and its licensing process. We will proceed with public comment. Is there anybody here from the public who would like to offer any comment? Seeing a Mr. Ayla.

SPEAKER_08 18:03

Thank you. Bringing him for selectly, congratulations, Mr. Android. Uh, I am just here to fill in um some information about the needs uh of Ray Cam with Verizon. Um I wanted to go back. The last uh license we had, Comcast agreed to upgrade um the live feed from town hall to the middle school. That's a big point with the audio on our live feeds. Um I talked to Comcast just this week, and they will be replacing that sooner. They have so many years and the license aside, so that will be taken care of. Once that's taken care of, what RayCamp is looking for for this room, for this building is to provide the best television we can for residents. We have high-depth channels. We don't have high-depth channels. We need new microphones, we need to have this room brought up to the 21st century again. It's gonna happen every three to five years as technology changes. So as the license process goes forward, people have a better understanding of what we need for this room. I obviously I welcome any comments from the public, this board, staff, etc. I'm here to answer.

SPEAKER_11 19:21

I just want to state how critically important it is cable uh videotaping our various meetings and having programs that get information out to the public. Obviously, it's the best coverage we can provide, and it's direct coverage for people in the community to find out what's going on. And I think RayCamp does a great job, and hopefully, we can work together and do an even better job going forward. But I just want to make sure that Verizon knows how critically important that government aspect and community aspect is to us as important. Thank you.

SPEAKER_09 19:59

Yeah, I think Pat's point that it's important to have it, and I'm assuming that if you were to get new cameras in the room, that would improve the web streaming part of the whole thing. Yes, two-step process.

SPEAKER_08 20:12

The first process is right now we're using old 1980s copper to go from here to the middle school. Yep, which is our hub. That's the Comcast portion already been agreed upon. So when it's feeding the web, it's feeding broadcast. We have high definition channels, but we're feeding it standard depth video. That's it. That's what we've capital for for that. Yeah, it's all the sense.

SPEAKER_10 20:37

No questions, but Mike, I just want to thank you. I know you and I had a chat last week, and I think you were in the process of reaching out to my colleagues one-on-one to talk about um any ideas or the class that we had, so I just want to recognize and thank you for taking the time to proactively do that as well.

SPEAKER_08 20:53

Yeah! I do want to say one more thing before I leave. Um, we just got the uh every year national public access TV as an award ceremony. And we've won in the past. Uh, last year Kyle Sabody won for uh the Jobs camp, and Kyle won again this year, so we're a two-time champ. We had a high school student win for her uh public service announcement. And the big winner was the Rainham Police Department. They saved Christmas with their fundraising efforts, and that was the best video for any fundraising effort in the nation. And we're going against Philly, LA, Boston. We're small, and we're still winning award afterwards. The community is definitely utilizing the Rainham channel, um, and we are one of the few towns that films every single year. So thank you all very much.

Alcohol License Changes And Hearings

SPEAKER_10 21:43

Thank you very much. Last call for public input is to kind of close the area at 722. Uh next step stop all the change all restaurant license chances in. We have to set a um actually called the hearing to order at 722. Um this This might sound familiar to folks. We did this hearing a few weeks ago and approved it. Item B and C, the state came back to us and uh in a pivot from past practice to modify the process, which required the notification of abutters, and so that's why we are bringing this hearing back up to comply with that provision the state requested. So that hearing had been called to order. Is there anybody here to speak for that public hearing? Seeing uh questions, comments from the board?

SPEAKER_02 22:28

No questions?

SPEAKER_10 22:29

Standard? No. What is the board's pleasure?

SPEAKER_02 22:32

Motion to approve.

Contracts, Consultants, And Mobile Homes

SPEAKER_10 22:33

Second is all in favor, that is approved. Uh next one, transfer of license ownership, wine and mart license milk bottle, 785 Broadway. I'll call that to order at 723. Anyone here from the public to speak? Seeing uh questions, comments from the board? No. None. And what is the voice pleasure? Motion to approve. Second. All in favor, that is approved, and that hearing is closed. Old business, Miss Riley. Mr. Andrew. No. New business. Discussion and vote on a non-union employment agreement extension for Heather Korea Police Department Executive Assistant. It's a three-year contract with two percent increases in each of the years. What is the board's flood rate?

SPEAKER_02 23:11

Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_10 23:13

Second. All in favor, and is approved. Uh item B, discussion and vote, non-union employment agreement extension for Kevin Laheen, plumbing and gas inspector. Again, three-year contract extension, two percent each year with a support flood.

SPEAKER_11 23:25

Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_10 23:26

Second. All in favor, aye that is approved. Uh next one item C discussion and vote non-union employment agreement extension for Aaron Madeiras, Community Services Director. There's a two-year agreement with two percent each year. What is the voice closure?

SPEAKER_11 23:39

Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_10 23:40

Second. All in favor, aye that is approved. Uh next is discussion and vote on non-union employment agreement extension for Robert Ayfreet. Building commission employment coordinator is a three-year contract of two percent each year. What is the worst closure? Motion to Mr. Chairman, I'm gonna abstain. Okay. I will second that. Any discussion? Seeing none, uh, all in favor, then I'll do a roll call, Miss Riley. Aye. Uh chair votes aye. And Mr.

SPEAKER_02 24:04

Okay.

SPEAKER_10 24:05

That passes item E, discussion and vote on non-union employment agreement extension for Jane Lane, Library Evening Supervisor. It's a three-year contract for two percent each year. What is the force closure?

SPEAKER_11 24:15

Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_10 24:16

Seconded. All in favor? Aye, that is approved. Discussion and vote, non-union employment agreement extension for Nicole Karufi, Library Circulation Supervisor. Two-year contract, two percent each year. What is the force closure?

SPEAKER_11 24:28

Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_10 24:29

Seconded. All in favor, aye, that is approved. Item G, discussion and vote of contract for GP General Engineering Consultant Services Group Greedman Peterson, GPI for the highway department. This comes with the recommendation of the highway superintendent and the town administrator. Questions, comments?

SPEAKER_02 24:46

Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_10 24:48

Seconded. All in favor? Aye. That is approved. Item H, discussion and vote on change order with GPI for wetland delineation services for a public safety building. Again, comes with the recommendation of the town administrator. What is the board's pleasure?

SPEAKER_11 25:02

Motion to approve based on this town administrator's recommendation.

SPEAKER_10 25:06

Seconded. All in favor. Aye. Aye is approved. Item I, discussion and vote on FY27 workers' compensation renewal with Meyer, and again with the town administrator's approval. What is the board's pleasure? Motion to approve. Seconded. All in favor, aye, and that is approved. Item J, discussion and vote for a contract for copy of purchase maintenance agreement with Enron Business Systems for the Treasurer Collector's Office. And as I understand this, Greg, correct me if I'm wrong, but it's replacing two antiquated devices. Three. Okay. What is the board's pleasure? Motion to approve. Seconded. All in favor? Aye. Aye, that is approved. Discussion and vote to uh reauthorize the select board chair to be the designated signer of all kinds of brain invoice and payroll wars.

SPEAKER_11 25:49

Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_10 25:50

Seconded. All in favor. Aye, that is approved. Request of American Mobile Homes Incorporated to allow temporary mobile home at 130 Clubhouse Circle. That is as a result of a fire loss.

SPEAKER_02 26:01

What is the board's pleasure? Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_10 26:04

Second. That is approved. Request of American Mobile Home Incorporated to allow a temporary mobile home at 8 Maori Road again as a result of fire loss. What is the board? Motion to approve. Seconded. All in favor. That is approved. Next is we have one-day alcohol licenses for tropical llama on May 9th and 621. I would ask the board to indulge me for a second on that. And I see the applicant here. My recommendation would be to approve as recommended the June 21st event, but not approve the 5.9 event. We closed liquor surfing reading at 1 o'clock the applicant as request 130. Before I open it up to the board, I'll go to the applicant.

SPEAKER_02 26:50

Yeah, um. Can I actually make a change on the application to one 713?

SPEAKER_10 26:56

Yeah, if you could state your name and add to the record first.

SPEAKER_02 26:58

My name is Sandra Roe from the Old North Propulumia on 14th Avenue News Bay Highway Unit 12 right now.

SPEAKER_10 27:05

Okay. And you are um agreeing to adjust your request to 1 o'clock? Yes. Okay. Uh questions, comments, Ms. Radley.

SPEAKER_11 27:13

Uh I know. I think you've done this before. Okay. And um everything is usually in order. So as long as it's the one o'clock closing is consistent with uh what we usually approve, I would uh make a motion to approve.

SPEAKER_10 27:27

And it does have the other approval. So I have a motion, Mr. Andrea, any comments before we vote? No, that makes sense. Second, second. All right, all in favor? Aye. Those are approved. Thank you. Thank you. All right, next up is change of hours, all alcohol, restaurant, license, tax on this hospitality group, DBA, barrels of wood. We have to set a hearing date. I would suggest May 19th. I can get to the bottom of the title. Yes, May 19th, if that's amendable.

SPEAKER_11 27:54

I'll make that motion.

SPEAKER_10 27:56

Second. All in favor on hearing set. Uh next up is the discussion and road to lay out the following ways as public. Goldfinch drives Far Away, Blue Green Lane, Baker Road Extension, and Mulberry Road. Uh, as a reminder of the board and those watching us at home, we had taken similar action last year. The proposal ended up getting pulled the town meeting as they had some uh additional outstanding items to address at that time. This is a formality. The planning board will still uh on a parallel track take care of hearing and make the recommendation that they deem appropriate, uh, and then town meeting will have the ultimate say on uh May 18th. So I just want to stress no um formal decision is being made today other than to accept the layout.

SPEAKER_11 28:42

And as you mentioned, it was what we accepted back in the fall as well. So I will make that motion, Mr. Chairman.

SPEAKER_09 28:50

Yeah, and this is just to get it onto the warrant. Correct, yes.

Town Meeting Warrant And Teacher Funding

SPEAKER_10 28:54

Yeah. Okay, I'll second it. Okay. All in favor? Aye. That is approved unanimously. And next up is item R, discussion and vote on the annual town meeting warrant. Um, moderated done if you was unavailable. It's town administrator, it's gonna take a few minutes to walk through some of that. Um highlight town meeting warrant. Mr. Bahn.

SPEAKER_05 29:19

Yes, there are 25 articles. Uh a good portion of them are the articles that one sees every year in terms of uh voting uh budgetary items, all the way from obviously the general operating budget to the sewer enterprise fund to monies for ambulance and all. There is only one capital article on it as we are delaying that uh most capital to the uh fall. Um perhaps the most uh uh uh rare article is we have an Article 8 that will fund$625,564 as a gift to the Bridgewater Rainham Regional School District. Uh basically, um the board had indicated to me they wanted uh as much money put toward the schools as was affordable, um not just for the short term, but for the long term. Our number is different than what Bridgewater has. They are not in the same position financially, uh, but um uh there was a strong desire to address the uh student to teacher ratio in the in the schools. So this GIF it can only be used for random schools, and it's very specific uh for classroom teachers, and this GIF will allow the restoration of seven teachers at the elementary and middle school. Uh the details of this are outlined in the article. Um, in addition to the financial articles, there are quite a number of easement-related articles. Um, as many of you know, we're uh in the process working with Taunton to replace the Self Street Ease Bridge. I should say that's a state project, so we're working with the state as well. Uh we need to obtain certain easements for this. This article will allow those easements to be uh entered into uh with with uh various entities. We have uh other easements directly related to the road takings that were just voted on the layout. Um we have um change to the stormwater bylaw that's more uh housekeeping than anything else. We have an article um that will deal with uh accessory to dwelling units. We had voted that several years ago, uh, but the state objected to a number of components, and uh we are revising that article to eliminate those uh components that the attorney general rendered uh invalid. Um so that's about it. Uh again, 25 um articles. I want to stress to everyone town meeting is May 18th at 7 p.m. And um hopefully everyone who is hearing this can uh attend town meeting. Um hopefully we can get more than just the regulars uh citizens come and learn what it's all about. And we will be putting this uh the warrant online as well as um it will be available at the library, uh the senior center and town hall, and we plan on uh making sure it not only goes online uh to the town website but into various social media as well. Um we're gonna be starting to use all the town um Facebook pages to get the word out, so I'm hoping you can make sure it has a prominent uh uh location. Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_10 33:18

Any questions, comments, or anything?

SPEAKER_05 33:20

Yeah, Mr.

SPEAKER_11 33:20

Chairman, I know there's a lot of interest in Article 8. I would ask that that be read at this time. And also if and I know we have our superintendent, Mr. Powers, and the school committee chair uh Mrs. King here, if they could comment.

SPEAKER_10 33:36

Sure, absolutely. Um Article eight to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of six hundred and twenty-five thousand five hundred and sixty-four dollars as a gift to the Bridgewater Rainham Regional School District, and according to Master General Laws, Chapter 71, Section 37A, for the purpose of adding classroom teachers with the intent of reducing class size by hiring one kindergarten, one fourth grade, two fifth grade, one sixth grade, one seventh grade, and one or more undesignated teachers. Staffing may change based upon enrollment changes for the town of Rainham School Buildings, grade K to 8, or take any action relative there too. And before I talk it up, uh turn it over to our colleagues from the district, um, just to give some background, this was a cooperative uh discussion. It wasn't um arbitrarily stipulated by the board or by FinCom. Um, the superintendent and the school committee were engaged in this process, and based upon the information provided to the findings committee and this board from the school district is how we came up with those tentative classroom assignments. So, for those folks at home uh listening, I can assure you none of us just randomly checked a class size, but uh superintendent checking either if you want to add anything.

SPEAKER_06 34:49

I guess we can watch it for uh collaborated quite a bit within common, obviously Mr. Barnes and his team as well. Um obviously uh our requests uh from the school committee and all the superintendent's preliminary budget uh you know was significant and we realized that, but it was a significant step uh in to make progress in the right direction and restore many of our positions that we had lost over the last two years. Um obviously, uh as you know, before the regional agreement, the assessments are really driven by uh uh enrollment and what the towns uh may or may not be able to afford. And so when we looked at potentially what Bridgewater could commit to, uh it did not uh meet uh the funding available from uh the town of Rainham, and so there was a notion of uh being a potential gift uh and working with Mr. Barnes and the Finn Common Select Board. Uh we did review projected class size for next year. Um, as I shared with Mr. Barnes and as uh Mr. Pachico uh made reference to, these are uh you know projected numbers, uh certainly where we are advocating them to lower class size that could change uh as the summer unfolds. Um so these are tentative, but we do anticipate uh reducing class size in kindergarten, uh fourth grade, uh, and then obviously the remaining positions at the middle school. Um we do feel as though there may be a potential to uh increase the staffing, even maybe potentially uh potentially beyond the seven, depending on the salaries of the uh new hires. Uh obviously uh we want to uh use all available funds and we certainly appreciate that uh amount. Uh certainly a significant amount lost on us, so thank you to the board and thank you to VINCOM and Mr. Barnes, and hopefully thank you to the voters on the 18th. Uh but we, you know, at the very minimum uh do commit to those positions going specifically to the Ringham students uh and obviously spending uh those funds on personality uh to make a difference in the classroom.

SPEAKER_00 36:46

Thank you. Um I just want to thank the select board and the board, Mr. Barnes. This has been a year and a budget cycle that we have really worked together with Mr. Barnes and the Select Board and your finance committee um to get to this. And I really thank you for working with us so much. Um as a school committee chair and a school committee member, it's our job to advocate for all of the students, and on a normal year, I would not advocate for taking again for only one side of the district. Um, but I feel like the class sizes are at such a capacity right now that we really can't turn down any funds that would um help our students and our staff to teach those students, especially in that case of eighth grade. Um so this was a conversation. I know we've had this conversation. I've talked to Mr. Powers, we've talked to our committee members. Um this is not something that we can turn down when the money is available, if we can make an impact and a difference right now because those classes were so hard and it is definitely affecting their education. So thank you for I know it was a lot of work in the past budget cycle, and I'm hoping we continue to work together and go into the next budget cycle and try and make some progress forward. So this will make a big impact on these students, and we're hoping with some of the additional savings, we can also do something similar on the bridgewater. The governor's budget that's coming back from the House and the Senate looks a little bit better. So I'm hoping we can address something on the other side, but this gift will make a big impact on our Rainbow students. So thank you.

SPEAKER_09 38:27

But thank you. So um, do we anticipate this taking classrooms under 30 students on average?

SPEAKER_06 38:36

Yes, just to share again projected numbers. Uh, if we were to add these positions, we would be looking at uh in projected class size in kindergarten going from 28 down to 23. Um first grade, uh no additions, but we should be at 23 in first grade, 24 in second grade, 26 and third grade. With the addition in fourth grade, we'd go from 31 down to 27. Uh fifth grade, we'd actually be going, because we're going to be potentially adding two in fifth grade, we'd go in from 37 to 27. Significant difference there. Sixth grade, by adding one, we go from 31 to 27. Seventh grade by adding one, we go from 35 to 29. And then eighth grade remains the same at 29. Again, we still have one position that's undesignated to potentially if some of those other classes creep up over 30, or we see a you know a larger dimension, and then even potentially from there, depending on the incoming salaries, we may be able to add an initial position as well if possible.

SPEAKER_09 39:34

Yeah, I think that's significant. No, that's those are real change of numbers, you know, going into next year. So I think it's an impact that would be well received past.

Community Updates, Applications, Executive Session

SPEAKER_10 39:46

Well, thank you both, appreciate it. Of course, thank you. All right, moving on, uh, town administrators report, Mr.

SPEAKER_05 39:53

Barnes. Uh May 18th at 7 p.m. at the middle school, and uh please uh the public uh uh we're encouraging them to attend, and again we will be public various meeting. Thank you.

SPEAKER_10 40:15

Questions for Mr. Byrnes? No, I wonder what Ms. Ragnarok.

SPEAKER_11 40:20

Just a couple of things. Uh I want to thank you, um, Mr. Chairman, for your support for these past years. I served as chair and also um Mr. Barnes for uh for working with me on that. Appreciate it. Uh just a couple things. I had the opportunity to attend the Mean Girls presentation, the Rainwater Players on this past Friday at the high school, and just want to send a shout out. They always do such a great job, um, especially to their director, Kelly Barron, and assistant director Lisa White, and just all of the students. We have so many talented kids in Bridgewater and Raining. It is amazing, and it was an enjoyable performance, and appreciate that. Um, we had yesterday our second meeting for our 12th annual Randy Memorial Day Parade, so it's coming together. Um, just to again throw that date out, it will be Saturday, May 23rd at 10 a.m. Um, and uh hopefully everyone will attend that. You both are invited along with Mr. Barnes to join our VIP's walking parade, and um obviously hopefully we'll have everyone turn out for that, getting great support from this chief and our members of our police department and fire department. So we greatly appreciate that. And uh the commemorative ceremony will follow the parade at the gazebo. And we have one more planning meeting, and that will be next, that will be Wednesday, the 20th, two days after the town meeting. So um, also after that, once the parade is over, we have to start planning community day. So we'll have a letter for the board next week from Rick asking for permission to hold the annual rain community day celebration on September 27th with a rain date of October 4th. And the only reason we say that it is early is people are already calling and wanted to know what the date rate. So that has become quite a popular event. So that is on for sure. And just also wanted to mention that we do talk a lot about raid, but I also want to send a shout out to the parents organizations that have preschools. They reach out to Parents Organization, ECPO with Maryland, Liberty Parents Organization, help you with the Liberty and Middle School Parents Organization. This week they are celebrating teacher appreciation and among the many, many activities that they do supporting the schools, but the parents groups do an amazing job and um they're treating the teachers as they should be treated to a little appreciation this week. And we just want to say that we uh we echo that appreciation because you know, and I know um Mrs. King is here and she would certainly um echo this, but even with the difficulties, budgetary difficulties that we had, we still have good things going on in our schools because we have such dedicated teachers and staff, and that is great recruitment.

SPEAKER_09 43:20

And that's why. Thank you, Ms. Rebr. Uh Andrew. Um, one thing that I'd add to the select board's report is that I it didn't make it to the agenda today, but I did submit a letter of resignation for my associate position on the planning board. So I'd say that the board keep that in mind. Planning board will have that on their agenda so that they can start eyeing new candidates for an associate member position. So just so you can figure that out.

SPEAKER_10 43:46

Thank you, Mr. David. I appreciate that. Uh press time, I don't see any members of the press. We have no emergency business to see me citizen and community input. Everybody all set? Oh, yes, that's I don't know how it fits that. I appreciate that, Ms. Riley. We have correspondence from Evelyn Brown, who has interest in serving on the Council and Aging Board. I'm going to entertain a motion to forward that to the COA for their review. Make that motion. Second. All in favor? Aye. That is approved. We have correspondence from Jane Kelleher, who has interest in serving on the COA board. I would entertain a motion to forward that. COAS. All in favor? Aye. That is approved. And we have a third applicant. This one has an interest in serving on the Rainham Cable TV Advisory Committee. And I would entertain a motion to forward that to that committee. So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. That is approved. No other correspondence. No press time. We did those. Performance of administrative duties. Report that I will be signing the town of Rainham invoice payroll warrants along with our finance director. At this time, I will entertain a motion on the master underwise, chapter 38, section 21A, 2 and 3 to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel, but 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 Iranian Police 911 operators, union, highway superintendent, fire chief, and health director.

SPEAKER_11 45:27

I will make that motion need to be specified that we'll return to open meeting for the sole purposes.

SPEAKER_10 45:34

Yes. And roll call, Miss Riley. Aye. Aye, Andre, and Chair Votes Aye, and again we'll return for the purposes of adjournment. Thank you. Good evening.