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Raynham Select Board 10/06/2026
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(Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy)
A quiet town can still face loud problems and this meeting makes that impossible to ignore. We start with the basics of local government, then quickly move into what residents most want answered: how are fire and police services holding up, what happened this month, and what does leadership do when the stakes are high?
We hear a clear September snapshot from the fire department, including staffing strain from injury leave, call totals across fire, medical, and inspections, and a sobering note on a fatal pedestrian accident. The police report follows with calls for service, 911 volume, citations, arrests, and a central dispatch update, then dives into major incidents: an FBI tip tied to an alleged school threat made through an online gaming platform, a fraud case involving gold bars and Bitcoin, a serious domestic violence arrest, and a gunshots response at a local apartment complex. The message is consistent and direct: threats get taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.
From there, we shift into town operations and policy: employment agreements, a data center bylaw headed toward a planning board public hearing, and a one-day alcohol license approval. The town administrator shares big-picture progress on a Paramount Drive shared use path grant through the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund, plus a new regional animal control services agreement. We close with community celebration highlights and an essential election update from the town clerk, including vote-by-mail timelines and a crucial heads-up that voters will receive two ballots, not duplicates.
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Call To Order And Pledge
SPEAKER_06All right, call the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and swim the public. We're being both broadcast live and recorded by the Rainham Channel. And I'd ask those of you with us who are able to join us in the pledge, please.
SPEAKER_04Congratulations to the club of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, Mr. Day, and Justice.
SPEAKER_06I will entertain a motion to accept the minutes of September 22nd, both regular session and our executive session, which are with public abilities.
SPEAKER_03A motion to accept as printed. Seconded. All in favor. Aye.
SPEAKER_06Those are approved. Department
Fire Department September Snapshot
SPEAKER_06head Brian was here to the fire chief. Brian.
SPEAKER_05Good evening. This is the activity report for the month of September. We still do have uh three firefighters out on uh injury leave. Two of them will be long term, and we hope to have one back by November 1st. Uh fingers crossed there. Uh and you can and attached with uh this report you can see the the figures of where we're at right now. Uh there were 112 fire calls last uh month, 192 medicals and 94 inspectional services. Uh we're at 2903 last year and we're at 2885, uh 2,858 right now. Uh we obviously we took up um we took part in community day uh last weekend, which is always a success for us. Uh we've been to quite a few touch-a-trucks, specifically the Linux Club, which was a fairly big uh uh touch-a-truck event that we were happy to be involved in. And uh, just want to uh commend the guys this morning. We had a uh unfortunately a pedestrian accident that was uh fatal. Uh and the guys went out there and they did a good job, and they they tried to give that person the best uh care that they could to give them the benefit of the doubt, but unfortunately it just didn't work. But I I I appreciate their strong work. That's it. I'm have a short night for you tonight.
SPEAKER_06Thank you, right. Ms. Riley, question.
SPEAKER_03Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and yes, Chief. Um thank you so much for the fire department support of our community day. I don't know if you had the entire department there, but it seemed like it with some of their incredible equipment. And um a special thanks to uh Captain Um Jeff Callahor, who all who always helps with the planning as well, and recruited our celebrity judge for us this year, too, so he didn't have to do it. But it was great. So thank you.
SPEAKER_05Persuasive when it comes to stuff like that.
SPEAKER_03Right, and thank you for everything that you and the members of your department do. Thank you. Thank you.
SPEAKER_07Yeah, I'll just echo that. Thank you for everything you and the the department do. It's always uh you guys always have such a busy plate and still show up for all the community stuff, so it's awesome. Thank you.
SPEAKER_06Thank you, Brian.
SPEAKER_07Thanks.
Police Report And Major Incidents
SPEAKER_00Good evening. Uh the month of September activity report. Uh we had 2,256 calls for service. 498 of those were emergency 911 calls, and of those, 91 were emergency medical dispatch calls. We had 96 traffic citations that were issued, and we had 11 arrests and several criminal summonses. Uh during the month of September, we hired two new full-time communication clerks, uh, Ciara Galavan and Corey Feeney. Uh, we anticipate that we will be ready to begin uh central dispatch hopefully by mid to late October. Um as long as everything goes well. Um so uh there was a few notable calls in September. Uh members of the Midnight Shift, along with the detective unit and SRO, arrested a juvenile on September 11th, following an investigation into an alleged school shooting threat made through an online gaming platform. As a result of the investigation, a 17-year-old male juvenile uh from Rainham was arrested and charged with making a false uh bomb threat. Uh so early in the morning on that date, uh the Rainham police were notified by the FBI of an alleged threat made through an online gaming platform. According to the information provided to the Rainham Police, the gaming platform flagged two statements allegedly made by a user in a game text chat, uh, including a threat to shoot up a school and threat to bomb a school. Uh the FBI provided uh Rainham police with information associated with the account, and the officers immediately began the investigation. Through that investigation, officers identified a juvenile believed to be associated with the account and responded to his residence. Umsequently, uh the officers determined they had probable cause to arrest the juvenile. Uh the investigation determined that the threats were not credible and that the juvenile did not have access to weapons. Um officers located no weapons during the investigation. Um based on the investigation, police did not believe there was uh any threat to the school community. Um I just want to say that we take these types of threats seriously, regardless of where or how they are made. Um I want to recognize our officers and the detectives for their immediate response and thorough investigation, as well as the FBI for quickly providing that information uh to investigate the matter. Um the suspect was arraigned at uh juvenile court. On September 17th, the Rochester, Rainham, and federal agencies arrested an alleged unlawfully present male in New York City for scamming a Rochester mass resident out of $340,000 following an investigation that began in May. The investigation revealed that the victim traveled to Rainham, where she met with uh the alleged uh with the suspect, who allegedly identified himself as a federal agent and defrauded her of approximately four uh $340,000 in gold bars and Bitcoin. Investigators arrested the suspect in New York, and the authorities returned him to uh Massachusetts, where he was arraigned at Taunton District Court. Uh he was then held as a fugitive from justice based on a warrant from another state involving uh similar crimes. On September 19th, uh a 38-year-old Male was arrested on several charges following a serious domestic violence incident that occurred on Nicholas Road. Uh the suspect was charged with attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, an assault and battery on a family or household member, uh witness intimidation, malicious destruction of property, and several firearms and drug-related offenses. He's currently being held without bail. On September 25th, at approximately 930 members of the split shift were dispatched to Chestnut Farm's apartment complex for multiple reports of gunshots. On scene, officers discovered visible damage to a lower-level apartment uh in building four. Officers determined that no one inside the apartment or any of the other residents in the building were injured. Uh, members of the detective unit, along with state police ballistics unit, were called to the scene along with uh Sergeant Pachico and K9 Bucky. At this time, there are no known suspects, uh, but the detectives are continuing an in-depth investigation, and I have all the confidence in the world that they want to solve that. Um for community service in September. On the 12th, the Greenham Lions Club held a touch-a-truck event. I want to thank uh Patrolman Liam Larkin and James Lonigan for participating. And on September 17th, Joshua O'Brien and Patrolman Savali participated in open house at the Community Autism and Learning Center on Paramount Drive. And I thank them uh for taking part in that event. And that's it for September.
unknownThank you.
SPEAKER_03Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's amazing some of these incidents that we see take place in what we've always thought of as a relatively small and peaceful community. It's just thank heaven that we have the police force that we have because um you all do such an incredible job and it's greatly appreciated. And again, um, Chief, thank you and the members of your department for taking part in Community Day with the planning. You and Sergeant Brian Levitri came to every single one of our planning sessions, which was amazing, and you had so many members of the department there on uh helping us out and with the detail officers, and also thank you so much. Appreciate it.
SPEAKER_00Thank you.
SPEAKER_07I think that um the number one thing to take away with school being started is the point you made about you know all threats being taken seriously. I think that's a huge takeaway from all this. I mean, you guys have like an unbelievably busy slate in September, and to know that you know, for everyone out there that makes threats they will be followed up on is a pa, you know, a really powerful statement. So thank you.
SPEAKER_06Thank you.
SPEAKER_00Thank you.
Staffing Votes And Contract Approvals
SPEAKER_06No appointments this evening, no hearings, old business. I have none.
unknownMr.
SPEAKER_06Andrew?
SPEAKER_07None.
SPEAKER_06And consistent with our policy, uh, this would allow them to fill that vacancy.
SPEAKER_02Motion to approve. Seconded. All in favor. All right.
SPEAKER_06That's approved. Uh item B, discussion and vote non-union employment agreement with my socialist health director. We successfully reached a uh an agreement on a three-year contract with a beginning rate of pay of 88,500, uh, followed by 2% colas and up to an additional 1% in merit pay. Uh, we voted to ratify this in executive session and now uh is the public session vote.
SPEAKER_02I will vote to approve. Seconded.
SPEAKER_06All in favor. Aye.
SPEAKER_02Aye is approved.
SPEAKER_06Item C discussion and vote on non-union employment agreement for Lisa Sylvia, executive assistant to the administrator and slug board. Uh we had a very positive pool of applicants for this position. Uh, the selected candidate, Miss Sylvia, comes to us with about 20 years of public sector experience, most recently with the Avon Public Schools uh support in the central office. Uh again, a similar contract, three-year contract uh with a beginning hourly rate of pay of 3411 and 2% increases thereafter.
SPEAKER_02Motion to approve.
SPEAKER_07Seconded.
SPEAKER_06All in favor? Aye. Approved unanimously. Uh
Data Center Bylaw Heads To Hearing
SPEAKER_06discussion and vote on data center bylaws. Um, we have to vote to send this to the planning board for a public hearing, but before we do that, I just want to give Mr. Andrade an opportunity uh where uh he and Miss Manconey were the um architects behind us if you want to add anything.
SPEAKER_07Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh so we had uh quite a few meetings uh to discuss this. Pam and I spoke about this, the planning board spoke, they had uh you know a meeting where every member was in attendance, we all get to work on it collaboratively. We've put together what we believe to be the best data center bylaw. So on October 28th, for anyone that's looking to possibly attend, it's gonna be a public hearing, uh anticipated public hearing. It will be held at um the senior center that evening. So it will be for you know people to come ask any questions. The 29th.
SPEAKER_08It's the 29th.
SPEAKER_0729th, sorry. The 29th at uh the senior center. So if anyone has questions about the data center bylaw, concerns, would like to be heard, um, feel free to join. I'll be there, the planning board members will be there, we'll be there to answer any questions. We'll be you know, this will be going after the planning board's meeting to hopefully town council to get this on the warrant for fall town meeting. So uh it's it's a big step forward for hopefully keeping you know some guidelines and road, you know, some bumpers on how this thing's gonna go. So looking forward to it. So hopefully we can make a motion to you know send this off to planning board. Sure.
SPEAKER_06Did you want to make that motion?
SPEAKER_07I will.
SPEAKER_06Okay. And I was second three articles.
SPEAKER_07Yes.
SPEAKER_03And I will second that. And under discussion, it's interesting since we started talking about how many communities um are talking about outright banning them, actually. I think we had said get something on the board that'll at least limit it, and then in you know, at the annual town meeting, if we want to do something more, we can follow up with that.
SPEAKER_07We've come to the conclusion that Mansfield's they put theirs together and Mansfield's we I I think it was approved. So being that it was approved, we feel confident that it will, if we put one forward that's similar to that, it would be approved. We haven't heard of any outright bans being approved yet. So it would be wise for us to put something in play that you know puts guidelines, and then if the outright bans start to get approved across the Commonwealth, then maybe we'll revisit this to try and usher in an all-out ban.
SPEAKER_06Excellent. Thank you. And that's the second? Yes, second. Uh Ms. DeAndre, thank you and Miss Vinconi for uh the work the two of you put in to bring this to fruition in such short order. All in favor? It's approved. Um one day alcohol license bikeway endurance. Um I would entertain a motion to approve subject upon submission of TIPS training certificate and proof of liquor liability insurance, which as of today are still pending.
SPEAKER_03I'll make that motion.
SPEAKER_07Seconded.
SPEAKER_06All in favor?
SPEAKER_03Aye. It's approved.
Path Grant Win And Animal Control
SPEAKER_06Town administrators report, Mr. Barnes.
SPEAKER_08Uh yes, uh, two items. Uh first of all, um, the town for uh two years has been applying uh through mass one-stop application uh for um monies uh for a shared use path uh planning and design at Paramount Drive. Um we were unsuccessful last year in getting it. However, I am happy to report this year we were awarded the grant. It was through something called that it didn't come through the main mass works program, it came through something called MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund. That's what the state chose to fund it through. But we have received a $50,000, $500,000 grant for uh uh a Paramount Drive uh shared use path project. And again, the the objective there is to make Paramount Drive more pedestrian friendly. Uh it includes a $50,000 match, uh which uh the the the thought was that it was gonna that was gonna be paid for by the Raymond Woods Commerce Center when when we had this discussed this. So this is good news. This isn't uh this won't be enough money for construction, but uh the planning, design, procurement um is all a very important part of the project, and this money, these monies will cover that. Uh secondly, several meetings ago, the the last meeting in August, the board had empowered me to finalize an agreement uh for uh intermunicipal agreement uh with Bridgewater and East Bridgewater for animal control services. Uh there uh since that time there's been a little back and forth um issues such as we're we're contributing the um uh the vehicle in return, they're paying all gas and maintenance and issues involving the pay of the the regional animal control officer who will be an employee of Bridgewater, but who will the the costs will be shared by each of us. Um any case that I we did finalize that agreement. I signed that based on the board's authorization. And as of Thursday this week, um the new animal, full-time animal control officer covering all three towns will begin her work. Um so um, and she'll be working uh closely with the police department who now has the supervision and control of animal control. Um so this is great news. We're excited about this, and um uh there's a trial period of about a well a little less than a year to make sure it works, but the agreement goes through uh several fiscal years.
SPEAKER_06So is that correct? That's it, Ms. Riley.
SPEAKER_03No questions for Mr.
SPEAKER_06Mr. Andrew? None. All right, thank you. Select
Community Celebration Day Highlights
SPEAKER_06board report, Miss Riley.
SPEAKER_03Yes, I have a couple things. Since our last meeting, obviously, we had to cancel the original date for our Rainham Community Celebration Day, but fortunately we were able to go with our rain date, and um I think a lot of credit to our town, our community, because I know a couple of um sister neighboring communities had events originally and were not able to reschedule. It's very difficult to pull together a rain date. It's almost like coordinating a second event. And um especially want to um uh thank our Ray Volunteer coordinator Becky George and board member Becky Mellow, who did much of the coordinating for this event. And I have a little report from um Becky George, if I can uh read this, uh Mr. Chairman, and just say it was a great event. Lots of people attended and just want to thank everybody. And Becky writes on behalf of the Rainham Community Celebration Day Committee and the Rainham Association of Volunteers for Education, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in Rainham Community Celebration Day 2026. Your dedication to this event, whether as a sponsor, vendor, committee member, participant, volunteer, or just attendee, was greatly appreciated. It was a beautiful day to celebrate Rainham. Thanks to everyone involved for the commitment, especially attending the rain date. It was so nice to gather with our friends, neighbors, local businesses, and organizations. The both booths were amazing with creative setups, giveaways, raffles, activities, and more. Although sunlight showers ended the day, we were thrilled that most of the event was dry and sunny. Lots of people came out to share in this community event that brings everyone together. Special thanks to our sponsors, Bluestone Bank, Wind Waste Innovations, Recycling Solutions, Eastern Bank, Bristol County Savings Bank, Rainham Cultural Council, RAVE, and the Southeastern Massachusetts Festival Chorus. Entertainment provided by various entertainers from an always wonderful band concert by the Bridgewater and Tiff No Brass Society, a petting zoo with alpacas, a magic show with Dennis Blanchard, a unique reptile show with Joe's Crazy Critters Ponyrides, and more were all top-notch. Personal Best Karate was amazing as always with their high-energy martial arts performance. Thank you to the Bridgewater Rainheim Regional High School cheerleaders, Michael Haland and the Rainham Channel for their assistance. The food court was a big hit with uh hot dogs, soda and water from the Rainham Lions Club, delicious pizza from both Cape Cod Cafe and Ambrosia Pizzeria, as well as stubs from Jersey Mike's and Stoneforge Tavern and Public House with chicken over Gorgonzola, tortellinian spinach dip. All of these food items were generously donated. Thanks to the Rainem Police and Fire Department for their great demonstrations and staying with us the entire day. Also, Cert Director Kevin Morera didn't think he was going to be able to attend, but he was able to make it. And the senior center, Aaron Medeiros, our director, was there all day. And we also, fifth annual pie baking contest, for the first time we had a real celebrity judge, not to say anything against our previous judges, but a Rainham resident, David Topian, is a professional pastry chef. And he along was assisted by his wife Lillian, and they judged the pie baking contest. First prize went to Patricia Palmeri, second place was Jennifer Rodriguez, and third place to Maddie Anderson. Bake sale was great. Special thanks to Scout Troop 43 and all of the high school volunteers, Ray volunteers, and everyone for another great Brain Him event. Thank you.
SPEAKER_06Thank you, Ms. Riley.
SPEAKER_07Nothing to add.
SPEAKER_06Ms. Riley, just first congratulations and thanks to you and Ray for always uh putting in the work to make sure it goes off without a hitch. Uh and the only other piece I have I was able to attend on behalf of the board tractor supplies, uh ribbon cutting and grand opening on Saturday. Which was well attended, and I extended our best wishes to them. So we have no correspondence, no press time, no emergency businesses in the community in part. Do you have some? Yep.
SPEAKER_01Yep, Mr. Byron's invited me. Okay. Okay.
Voting By Mail And Two Ballots
SPEAKER_01I'll make this quick. It's about the election. And just a couple little things. So I did this quickly because I told him I would come in here. So we received the ballots from the uh state on Wednesday, and we processed over 2,000 vote-by-mail applications, and they went out yesterday. We don't have an elections department, so it falls on our department. And I I have to thank Amy and Heather McRae, who uh worked until 11 o'clock on Friday night. So if you saw some lights on in here Friday night that they were here, and they were also here for a little while on Saturday to get these ballots out. So we still get them in daily. The last day to apply is uh October 27th by 5 p.m. The last day to register to vote is October 24th, and I think Mr. Barnes read all this, but just to kind of go back over it, um but this is something that we want every voter to know. I I don't know if the state's gonna make it known. I hope they do. There are two ballots. So when people get the ballots in the mail, they're gonna see, they're gonna we hope they don't think that we gave them two ballots, uh to this, two of the same ballots, but we didn't. There are so many questions that they're on two ballots. And I have I tried to put something together here that I'm gonna put out. We don't have the specimen ballots in yet, but I'm gonna try to put this together and put it on the website so that people can be hopefully a little less confused because it is confusing right now. So there are two sides. We have two congressional districts, so there are two separate ballots on the first page of the um the people running for office. It's just Congress, but the on the other side of the ballot are the questions, and then it goes to another ballot, and it says card two of two. So everybody's gonna get it, and then it's on the other side. So there are a it's a it's quite different than it than it has been in the past, and it's gonna be challenging to tally all these, and we hope people that um return both of them and don't think that you know it was a mistake sending them out duplicate. But I just wanted to say that um I think that probably covered some of it. Um in-person early voting begins October 17th through um October 30th. We don't have a session on October 18th or uh October 25th, that's Sunday. But uh other than that, we're open regular hours, business hours. So, and you know people are gonna take over this meeting room. Highway department has been instrumental helping us as always, and they will help us set up on the 14th of October. So I think I covered it. I tried. Yeah, last minute? Okay.
SPEAKER_06Anybody have any questions?
unknownMr.
SPEAKER_06Island?
SPEAKER_01No.
SPEAKER_03No, I have no questions.
SPEAKER_01Do you is that a record number of questions in the I've been here 50, five zero years, because everybody knows I was two when I started. Yes. Um, but no, no, I've never had never had this many. Yeah, and it's just you know, because of the different congressional districts, different ballots, um, it's confusing. It's confusing. And so um we just hope people realize we're trying.
SPEAKER_03Mr. Chairman, while our town clerk is here, I just also want to thank her. And if people haven't noticed, we now have the Declaration of Independence behind us on the wall for the 4th of July, so the 250th. Um, we were given a copy of that, but um our town clerk realized that it really needed a better frame. So we did take it to Michael's in Taunton, and they put a uh protective glass over it and a nice frame so that it will be there now to kind of inspire us as we do our work here. You brought it down. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01Team member, but you brought it, you brought it down. Yeah, thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Handry.
SPEAKER_07No, I mean, thanks to you and the staff for all the work. I mean, I know a lot of people depend on these ballots, so thank you. If they don't say thank you, I will.
SPEAKER_01Thank you. So thanks. We will take anything so we can get it. We love to hear thank you. Yeah. And we definitely do our best. We really do. Yeah. Because we have other things, daily things. Oh, yeah. So yeah, but thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Am I dismissed? Yes, thank you. Great. Thank you so much.
Executive Session Motion And Close
SPEAKER_06All right. Uh can I notify the board that the um Tana County and I have signed the uh Tana Vrahanium invoice and payroll warrants, and I'll entertain a motion to go into executive session, Mass Journal Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21A3 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 OPEIU. We will reconvene in open session for the singular purpose of adjournment.
SPEAKER_03I'll make that motion at 725 p.m.
SPEAKER_07Seconded.
SPEAKER_06Roll comes right. Aye.