Raynham Select Board 07/28/2026

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

A lot of people only notice town government when something breaks, but the real story is how many small decisions prevent bigger problems later. We start with nuts-and-bolts updates from the Highway Department, from in-house repairs that save money to guide rail damage, roadwork, and the behind-the-scenes sequencing that drives bridge projects. We also talk grants, including applications that could support future bridge work and longer-term ideas like shared-use paths, and why “fingers crossed” still needs serious planning.

From there, the meeting shifts into the votes that keep daily operations steady: a constable reappointment, public hearings on alcohol restaurant license changes, and a full run of staffing and contract items. We approve steps to fill vacancies, bring on seasonal help for the highway crew, renew FY27 cyber insurance to reduce exposure to cyber threats, and handle practical facility needs like replacing an aging air conditioner condenser at the senior center. There’s also a renewal of the Navy anchor loan agreement, plus a reminder that history, maintenance, and civic pride often share the same patch of ground.

One of the biggest policy conversations centers on animal control and whether it belongs under the Health Department or the Police Department. We lay out the case for 24-7 coverage, simpler call routing, and alignment with nearby communities. We close with community highlights, a proposal to formally welcome new businesses, a push to shop local during Massachusetts tax-free weekend, and public comment flagging fast-moving Massachusetts zoning changes that could reshape variances, zoning freezes, duplexes, and development rules.

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Transcript

Call To Order And Minutes

SPEAKER_04 0:01

All right, good evening. Call the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Inform the public that we are being both broadcast live and recorded by the Rainium Channel. I'd ask folks who are able and with us to join us in the pledge, please. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for support nation.

unknown 0:26

Thank you.

SPEAKER_04 0:27

I will ascertain a motion to accept the minutes from July 14th. Motion to accept the minutes as printed. Second it. All in favor. Aye. Those are

Highway Work And Bridge Updates

SPEAKER_04 0:36

approved. Department head to highway superintendent Norm Survey Norm.

SPEAKER_00 0:43

Good evening. Have some updates for the last month from the highway department. We also did an in-house repair yesterday, actually replaced several blocks on the wall that was deteriorating from the uh assault in general wearing care. So that was good. We got to complete that change of money by doing an in-house. Uh the road crew has been busy with a lot of work orders that have come in. Some included limited to a lot of data this month. Um when we have time, we can continue with roadside cutting away. Project update, I'd like to include some guide rail repairs that we have seven locations within the last couple of months. Some of them, sometimes, if we are lucky enough to get the person who hit it, it will go under their insurance and be fixed by a company completely. Um unfortunately, none of these seven we have any lucky. Um project update on the Gardensry Bridge. We were finally able to get the last wire moved over. We're gonna be putting the barge into that water into the pond, hopefully in the month of August. That is a small window that the um Department of Fisheries will allow us to do to do some uh soil expedition ahead of the project. Um the old colony bridge, the usements have all been finished and finalized. We're just waiting on one more uh to be reviewed by town council for um some concom issues. Uh today we applied for two more grants. One was an engineering grant for the Paramount Drive, and that would be to work on some shared use path, like path or possibilities I want from that down the line. Uh the second one was for another $500,000 grant to complete three municipality small bridge grant. I'm sorry. Uh that was up to $500,000. So hopefully fingers crossed grab another grant for that for that bridge. And we're hoping that we start that maybe next uh April of 27. So next range. That's all I got.

SPEAKER_08 3:02

Great job is all right. Thank you.

SPEAKER_06 3:04

Yeah, I mean you can't help but drive around town and see all the new roads and all the drive rails being things like I can't drive from one place to the other without seeing the highway department drives on the side of the road doing something. So it's good work. Thank you.

SPEAKER_04 3:17

Thank you, Noah.

SPEAKER_00 3:18

Yep, thank you.

SPEAKER_04 3:19

All

Constable Reappointment Vote

SPEAKER_04 3:20

right. Appointments we have one, the reappointment of Jeff Belial as constable, and the chief has signed off on it with support's budget.

SPEAKER_08 3:27

Motion to reappoint.

SPEAKER_04 3:28

Second. All in favor? All right, that is approved.

Alcohol License Hearings And Approvals

SPEAKER_04 3:31

And now we have two hearings. I'll call the first one to order at 7.02 p.m. Uh to change of location. All alcohol restaurant license rating Derby Club 1990 Broadway. Ms. Rogers, I see you with us.

SPEAKER_07 3:44

I believe that's a type of which we 1900 Broadway.

SPEAKER_04 3:46

1900 Broadway, okay. Thank you. Did you want to just come up? Thank you. Uh as we understand it, it's simply a change of location as the boards that we had in 1958 had been torn down, and you're looking to relocate the license to the left of the building where you have a new structure.

SPEAKER_08 4:03

Correct.

SPEAKER_04 4:03

Okay, anything you want to add? Okay, Ms. Riley, questions five.

SPEAKER_08 4:07

No order changes. No order change.

SPEAKER_04 4:09

Mr. Ingrid. Nope, that's all right. It is a public hearing. Any members of the public wish to speak for or against? Seeing none, what is the board's pleasure?

SPEAKER_08 4:18

Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_04 4:19

Second. All in favor? Aye. Approved unanimously. Thank you. Close the hearing at 703. Next hearing, uh, call that to order at 703. It's a transfer of license, change of owner, manager, and corporate all alcohol restaurant license, seafood and cones 77 Broadway. Uh, Mr. Laghetto, I see you here. Uh, as the board is aware, seafood and cones had closed. You've uh since opened a new venture, uh, and I expect that this is to accommodate that. Correct. Okay, is there anything you'd like to add for the board?

SPEAKER_01 4:50

No, just uh it's pretty much um same place, just we remodeled it, uh, made it into an all-year dining. And uh, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 5:00

Miss Riley, questions, comments?

SPEAKER_08 5:02

No, I haven't had questions. I can see some photos of it and what's the it falls. Oh, thank you.

SPEAKER_01 5:06

Thank you.

unknown 5:07

Mr.

SPEAKER_04 5:07

Ingrave, questions, comments? No, Greg, I don't I don't know if my colleagues have it. I don't have his packet. I only have for Derby Club, so I just want to make sure that we have the packet and everything's in order. The the packet of the alcohol? Yes. Oh, yeah, we do. Okay. So everything's in order. Everything's in order, yes. Uh again, public hearing. Anyone here speaking for or against? Seeing none, what's the board's pleasure? Motion to approve. Second. All in favor? Aye. It's approved unanimously in here. It's closed at 704. Thank you.

Staffing Moves And Contract Votes

SPEAKER_04 5:40

All right. Uh old business, Ms. Riley. Anything? I have nothing. Mr. Andreid? None. Okay, thank you. Um, new business discussion and vote on a new ununion employment agreement for Jeffrey Sheever, circulation supervisor, as the board is aware. Uh the prior uh employee uh resigned. Pursue other opportunities after the position was posted. This was recommended. The starting rate of pay is $24.97 per hour, and uh it comes with the standard 2% increases.

SPEAKER_08 6:12

Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_04 6:14

Okay. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. It's approved unanimously. Uh next is discussion and vote on filling executive assistant to the town administrator and select board. Uh, unfortunately, uh somewhat recently hired executive assistant has accepted an opportunity elsewhere and has resigned. So, this is to authorize us to get the position posted so we can move forward.

SPEAKER_08 6:34

Um motion to uh accept the resignation with regret and go forward.

SPEAKER_04 6:39

Okay, seconded. All in favor, that is approved. Uh discussion and vote on filling of additional seasonal temporary employees for the highway department. Uh as the board is aware, we have some vacancies that we've been trying to fill full-time, uh, but there's an opportunity to hire some seasonal folks, which the superintendent would like to do, uh, and we have the uh budget to do so.

SPEAKER_08 7:00

And this is with a recommendation of the highway.

SPEAKER_04 7:03

Correct.

SPEAKER_08 7:03

And we'll make a motion to approve. I'll second that.

SPEAKER_04 7:06

All in favor, aye. That's approved unanimously. Uh discussion and vote of FY27 cyber insurance renewal. This is a renewal of patriot insurance uh to ensure our liabilities protected against uh cyber threats, and that comes with the recommendation of the town administrator. Motion to approve, seconded, all in favor, aye that is approved unanimously. Uh next uh discussion and vote FY27 DPW and paper supply contracts through SARSage, which is Southeastern Regional Services Group. Again, that comes with the recommendation of the town administrator. Motion to approve.

SPEAKER_05 7:40

Seconded.

SPEAKER_04 7:40

All in favor, aye. That's approved unanimously. Discussion and vote of contract for general highway engineering consulting services through GPI. Uh, this is uh the firm we've retained for a number of years for a number of different tasks, and it comes with the recommendation of the town administrator and highway superintendent.

SPEAKER_08 7:57

And I move that motion to approve.

SPEAKER_04 8:00

Seconded. All in favor, aye that is approved. Uh next is discussion and vote of contract for tax title legal services with Coppola and Coppola. The town employs special counsel outside of town council. One of those is for tax title services, and the uh treasurer collector and town administrator are recommending Coppola and Coppola. Uh, it's essentially an open-ended contract, and either party can um end it at any time with proper written notice.

SPEAKER_08 8:26

And make that motion to approve.

SPEAKER_04 8:28

Second it. All in favor? All right. Approved unanimously. Next up, discussion and vote for a contract for the air conditioner condenser replacement at the senior center. Um, this is one of two machines over there that's uh exceeded its useful life. Uh, and the town administrator, building commissioner, and I believe you, Mr. DeAndre, had worked to seek out quotes for replacements. We have a quote that is being recommended by the town administrator for $8,900 from A Mechanical, which is actually a Rainhand business. But it's the board's pleasure.

SPEAKER_08 9:00

Make that motion to approve.

SPEAKER_04 9:01

Second it. All in favor? Aye. It's approved unanimously. Next, discussion and vote of historic loan agreement renewal with the Navy History and Heritage Command. Um, for folks who are familiar with town, they'll know on South Main Street uh there is along the Porge River an anchor that we've had for as long as I've been alive, anyways, that the Navy lends us, so we do not own it, the Navy owns it. This allows us to retain it through an extension of uh the renewal. The town administrator recommends it, and Miss Riley, I know you've been involved unless there anything you want to add.

SPEAKER_08 9:33

I just um we took a little field trip. Our historical commission chairman Jeff Gallagher, Historical Commission member Marcia Silvie, and myself, we went over and inspected it and it's in good shape, and you can clearly see the United States Navy markings on it. And I just also want to commend our Highway Department, Mr. Skirtovan, and the Highway Department, for doing such a nice job maintaining there. It's really a really nice area. Obviously, it's also the site of the first um successful ironworks in the country, and so it's it's a really nice uh area over there. So definitely approved uh going forward with this.

SPEAKER_04 10:10

I'll second that. All in favor? Aye. That is approved unanimously. Uh next

Animal Control Returns To Police

SPEAKER_04 10:15

up is discussion and vote regarding the ECO. Um I had asked the to put this on our agenda for the board to consider. Uh, as the board's aware, a few years ago, probably four, maybe five years ago, we removed the animal control department from the police department and placed it under the health department. Uh, in either scenario, it'd still be under our jurisdiction. Um I think that has run its course. I see an opportunity for us to bring it back, or I think it's it's better aligned, and that's the police department. Uh, we're in between health directors right now, so I think now is a natural point of transition before a new health director gets on, attempts to assimilate themselves uh to managing that position. The police chief and I have spoken, he's also spoken to the town administrator. He uh similarly agrees with moving it back over there and is fine with moving it back over there. Uh and I think some of the benefits are the police department is situated to run 24-7, whereas the health department is uh uh Monday through Friday 8 to 4.30 operation. Uh so this I think is going to allow more flexibility, hopefully uh deliver uh superior service uh and align ourselves with a lot of our sister communities, including places like East Bridgewater and Bridgewater. Uh so I would open it up to the board for questions, comments, uh, and I have a motion for discussion and just under discussion.

SPEAKER_08 11:39

All of the calls go to the police department in any case, it seems to uh make sense and that the police chief is uh in favor of that. Um I think that's a is a logical report.

SPEAKER_05 11:53

Yeah, I would find that a lot of the calls and people who don't know who the call first calls you can ask or recommendation.

SPEAKER_06 12:01

So if the chief and and the remainder of them are prepared to undertake that, and it sounds like a lot of the adjacent towns do, I think that that would probably be the best course of action.

SPEAKER_04 12:12

Mr. Um Barnes, is there anything you want to add? Because as I had said that you've had some conversations with the chief as well.

SPEAKER_03 12:21

Uh yes, uh that uh P uh we both believe uh this this makes a lot of sense. Um they have the as stated at 24-7 staffing. Uh I know Peter will be very involved with this. Um and uh so we both strongly recommend it. We're in total agreement as to the change.

SPEAKER_04 12:44

Thank you. So I have a motion to have a second, seconded. All in favor? Approved unanimously, thank

Public Safety Facility Procurement Update

SPEAKER_04 12:50

you. Uh town administrators report, Mr.

SPEAKER_03 12:52

Barnes. Uh yes, well, we continue on the public safety uh procurement process. We uh have put out uh uh requests for qualifications. Uh this is for those they have to be pre-qualified, and we have received uh I think something like 130 uh entities uh that that are wanting to either be the general contractor or the uh subcontractors. Um the only area where we've had a deficiency you're supposed to have up to three is in elevators. I'm not sure why we're having such trouble with the elevator procurement. But uh in any case, that process of review will begin tomorrow. Um there are uh there's a representative from the fire, uh one from the police, and then Chris, uh the finance director myself will be also uh uh on that team. Umce that review is completed, uh the next stage will be putting out uh the actual IFB regarding the facility itself. Umly those who are pre-qualified can bid. Uh but I've been told that though the the general contractors uh that have put their names in are all that there are some very well-established, very well-respected companies who have already put their name in. So it seems like we will have a good uh pull as allowed per state law for the facility, um, and that will help answer a key question, which is how much is the facility actually going to cost? We've had many estimates, but estimates are just that. You want to have an actual bid which will give you an actual number. And again, the plan is in the fall to uh go to town meeting and make up any gap at town meeting.

SPEAKER_04 15:00

Thank you. Mr. Bon's questions, comments, or Mr. Ms. No questions. Okay. Select

Community Events And Business Welcomes

SPEAKER_04 15:06

board report, Ms. Riley.

SPEAKER_08 15:07

I have a couple of things. Just first, I want to send out congratulations to our friends over at the Buddhist Temple for holding another successful event. As always, crowds turned out to join their celebration of their annual Candle and Thai food festival recently. They had entertainment, music and dancing, a parade procession, Thai food for sale, and cultural items on display, as well as tours of their impressive temple. Every time I visited over there, I get the sense that we have our own mini United Nations right here in the radium. Um, as you know, is the largest foodist temple outside of Thailand. This past Saturday, one of our newest businesses had a grand opening in ribbon cutting ceremony. Our jewelers is located in the former game stop unit in Charles Plaza on Route 44. The ribbon cutting ceremony was coordinated by the Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce and was very well attended to the Dennis General as well as I. Meanwhile, further along Route 44, another new business, it's pretty busy on William, has been creating a lot of buzz on social media, and that is Cafe Aleo, which is a very unique menu and setting, even featuring an old-fashioned telephone booth. In a very unique partnership, the Coffee Shop shares the same unit in the Rhenium Marketplace with the August Lane Company Boutique. Brother and Sister Duo are the proud owners, George Maveritas and Dimitria Aruro, and we congratulate all of our new businesses in town and wish them all the best. Speaking of our new businesses, when we are invited to a grand opening or a ribbon-cutting ceremony, our state representative always brings the certificate from the State House, and so does our state senator. So we usually offer our words of congratulations and best wishes, but I thought it would be nice if we also had something we could leave with them. So I've drafted this and uh for our members for both of you to consider, and maybe if um if you would in agreement we can put on the agenda to make it our official welcome. And it just basically, and this is obviously can be edited, but it says the Rainham Select vote here by officially welcomes to the town of Greenham, and then it will list where the big new business is. On behalf of all the residents of Rainham, we are pleased to officially welcome this business to the town of Rainham. We offer our sincere congratulations and our very best wishes for a long and prosperous experience here in our town where we fully appreciate the essential role our business community plays in the success of our entire community, not only financially, but also as a key component in the vitality and in the life of our town. And then it's presented with sincere gratitude on whatever the date happens to be, and the three of us sign that. I just think we don't always say how much we appreciate our business community, but it really is so essential to our entire community. So that's all that.

SPEAKER_04 17:54

Thank you, Ms. Ryan.

SPEAKER_06 17:56

Yeah, I would agree with what Pat had offered up. I think that's an awesome idea. Um, I know also that yourself and I, we got to visit uh the BP ribbon covet cutting. I mean, it was an amazing facility. I mean, for what the taxpayers paid for. I think for everyone who had the privilege of going there, trade school is going to be immensely important going forward in the future, and I think that a facility like that is just imperative. So I think that was um that was huge. So that was a great thing to be uh to attend. And uh other than that, I was able to attend the uh the seniors had their firefighter um lunch, burger lunch. So I was there with Jeff and the firefighters. We got to serve um all the seniors there, so that was fun. Got to meet a lot of people, so that was a good time. Other than that, that's all I have. Good.

SPEAKER_04 18:51

Thank you, Miss Andre. Uh as you said, Miss Riley, we had Ali Jewler's opening. Uh Mr. Andrew, as you said, BP's uh ribbon cutting for the new uh $350 million facility. Also, last week I had the opportunity to attend uh Superintendent Maggie Hayes' retirement party from BP. I've known Alex for close to 30 years.

SPEAKER_08 19:10

Who was your teacher?

SPEAKER_04 19:11

I didn't have him. Um I didn't and I talked to him. He was a teacher there, yes. Uh, and I don't know who got lucky of me not having him because he was pretty tough for him not having me as a student. Um, but I extended our best wishes to Alex and uh spoke about the contributions he made, including uh spareheading and seeing through this project uh as the board's his original plan was to retire two years ago, uh and the school committee had asked that he'd stay on to make sure that the project got done. So I extended those wishes to him. Uh and just a reminder, not this weekend, but next weekend is Massachusetts tax-free weekend, August 8th and 9th. Uh, and as we've discussed, we had some great businesses in town. So uh, while uh people are free to spend the money where and how they wish, I would certainly encourage them to patronize some of our Rainham businesses, uh, as I think we have just about everything you need here in town. Correspondence,

Public Comments And Zoning Warnings

SPEAKER_04 20:03

we do not have any, no press time, no emergency business citizen and community in but I have to get up. Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 20:11

Okay. Of course I do know that. I didn't know about it. I just I wasn't planning on saying anything, but I just want to talk about uh animal control. I had an experience this afternoon that I had to call um the police department for someone that was really being extremely mean to a dog in the parking lot of Pet Supplies Plus. And um, I called the police department and they were absolutely fantastic. So, and I wasn't planning on saying anything, but it just happened to work out that way. So I got them and they were great, and I just wanted to thank them and thank the board for for for doing that.

SPEAKER_04 20:50

Thank you, thank you. Anyone else?

SPEAKER_02 20:56

Hi everyone, my name is John Norris. I'm from Bridgewater. I am also running for state representative. Uh Ms. Riley, thank you very much for coming up with the idea to appreciate businesses in the community. It's one of the most important things that we can do is appreciate people who run businesses. As a business owner, if I was given a certificate saying thank you, I would appreciate it tremendously. Um, I think one of the most important things that our state government can do, especially those on Beacon Hill, is to keep our local municipalities apprised of what's going on at Beacon Hill, especially when they happen in real time. So I just want to give a quick notification. I was at the planning board meeting most recently here in Rainham, and we discussed a couple of the changes that happened due to the FY27 budget. I would just like to very briefly go over that with you guys so you're aware of some of the changes that happened. It happened under an emergency preamble, which means that when the governor signed it on July 9th, it went into law. Sections 40 through 49 of the budget were the major changes, and in there it changes the standard for variances. It changes when zoning freezes happen, how long they happen, and it'll dramatically affect the nature and the character of both Rainham and Bridgewater. The other thing is it's currently a bill that's up on the hill. It's Senate Bill S3178. It was originally House Bill 5576. This one is another appropriations bill. It's one that is uh aggregating both uh bonds for people and direct money to the communities. Uh the House bill did have some uh earmarks put out for both the communities, but those were both erased when 3178 was put into place. But what 3178 does have, and I'll keep you apprised of this, I will come back and give you an update on it. There's two more additional pieces of zoning in there. One is that churches that can have up to 30 units at a minimum per square um acre on their property as of right, which means that they can dramatically build without very much interference with the town. Uh, the the second one uh that was going through that was that they're now going to be allowing duplexes as of right on single family homes so long as they meet certain requirements. So you're going to see a lot of zoning changes, a lot of things that dramatically impact the way that Rainham and Bridgewater will operate on a local level. So long as I'm either a private citizen of Bridgewater and I'm also still interested in Rainham, or if I am your next state representative, I will constantly come back here and give you updates as to what's going on in real time so you're never caught off foot by what's going on. Thank you.

SPEAKER_04 23:13

Thank you. Thanks. Anybody else? Seeing none.

Warrants Executive Session Adjourn

SPEAKER_04 23:17

Uh advise the board that the finance director and I have signed the uh invoice and payroll warrants for the town. Uh we next up have executive session, mass jordan laws, chapter 38, section 21A2, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non union personnel, or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non union personnel. The fire chief we will reconvene in public session for the singular purposes of adjournment. Whether it's the board's pleasure.

SPEAKER_08 23:44

Motion to second.

SPEAKER_04 23:45

Seconded. Roll call, Miss Riley. Aye. Mr. Andrew, aye. Chair votes aye. Thank you. All have a good evening. Thank you.