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Bristol County, Massachusetts

Bristol County public meetings in 2025

25 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Mon Dec 22, 2025

Commissioners

Commissioners will decide on personnel changes and court facility invoices

The Bristol County Commissioners will review and approve personnel matters such as new hires, retirements, medical leaves, and terminations. They will also examine payroll and accounts payable warrants, and vote to approve the minutes from the December 9th meeting. A facilities superintendent will provide updates, including several invoices for work at Superior Courts and Registries of Deeds. An executive session is scheduled to discuss collective bargaining strategy.

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✓ Decided: Commissioners approved payroll and AP warrants totaling $2.1 M

The board approved the County Plan (CP) as presented. They then approved five payroll and accounts‑payable warrants totaling $2,149,624.37. A series of invoices for court facility repairs, plumbing, and an insurance claim were also approved. The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Tue Nov 25, 2025

Commissioners

Commissioners to review court facility repairs and personnel matters

The Bristol County Commissioners will meet to approve personnel changes and payroll warrants. The body will review facility updates and invoices for courts in Taunton, New Bedford, and Attleboro. An executive session is scheduled to discuss collective bargaining strategy.

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✓ Decided: Commissioners approved $484,512.52 health‑benefits payment

The board approved the employment of Kara L. Fitch as Equine Science Teacher. It approved several payroll and accounts‑payable warrants and a $484,512.52 payment from the MIIA Health Benefits Trust for December premiums. The commissioners also approved multiple facility invoices and project costs for district and superior courts. The meeting entered and exited executive session before adjourning.

Mon Nov 10, 2025

Commissioners

Commissioners to vote on Fall River Children’s Museum roof restoration

The Bristol County Commissioners will review personnel matters, payroll, and various invoices. The body will evaluate bids and determine the funding source for the Fall River Children’s Museum roof restoration. They will also consider an amended HVAC controls proposal for the New Bedford District Court.

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✓ Decided: Commissioners approved a $331,500 roof restoration contract for Fall River Superior Court

The board approved several personnel position changes at the Bristol County Agricultural High School and authorized multiple warrants totaling $2,843,785.16. It also approved a series of invoices, committed $25,000 from the Opioid Abatement Settlement to a grant program, and awarded contracts for a $331,500 roof restoration at the Fall River Superior Court Children’s Museum and a $32,500 HVAC design amendment for the New Bedford District Court.

Tue Oct 28, 2025

Commissioners

Commissioners to review facility updates and various service invoices

The Bristol County Commissioners will review personnel matters, payroll warrants, and the 2026 meeting schedule. The body will discuss facility updates for the Fall River Children’s Museum, Taunton Superior Court, Taunton Registry of Deeds, and New Bedford District Court.

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✓ Decided: Commissioners approved major health‑benefits payment and multiple facility contracts

The board approved 14 staff position and funding changes at the Bristol County Agricultural High School and authorized three AP warrants totaling $302,282.48. They also approved a series of invoices for facility projects, including roof work at the Taunton Superior Court and tree removal at the Fall River Registry/Children’s Museum, and authorized a $486,748.92 payment for county health‑benefits premiums. Finally, they gave Chairman Mitchell authority to endorse the Medex 2 rate renewal for 2026.

Tue Oct 14, 2025

Commissioners

Commissioners consider DOT Order of Taking and multiple facility service contracts

The board will review and approve personnel changes for county employees, including new hires and retirements. They will examine payroll and accounts payable warrants. A vote will be taken on the Department of Transportation Order of Taking (Sept. 24, 2025, case 9009). The commissioners will also discuss and approve several invoices and service proposals for county facilities, such as masonry repairs at courts, HVAC upgrades, and electrical work.

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✓ Decided: Commissioners authorized a land‑taking order for a New Bedford highway project

The board approved the employment changes at the Agricultural High School, accepted all payroll and accounts‑payable warrants presented, and authorized Chairman John R. Mitchell to sign the Massachusetts DOT land‑taking certificate for the New Bedford project. Additional motions approved payments for the Children’s Advocacy Center, a law‑firm invoice, and numerous facilities invoices for court‑related repairs and upgrades.

Tue Sep 30, 2025

Commissioners

County commissioners to review personnel and facility updates

The Bristol County Commissioners will meet to approve personnel changes, review payroll warrants, and discuss updates for Taunton and New Bedford courthouses. The body will also consider a collective bargaining executive session.

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✓ Decided: County commissioners approved FY2026 tax issuance to municipalities

The board unanimously approved the issuance of the FY2026 county tax to all Bristol County municipalities. They also approved a $484,145.63 payment to the MIIA Health Benefits Trust for October 2025 premiums and two payments to Lemieux Heating Inc. for work at the Taunton Superior Court. Additional actions included fee‑waiver for Eagle COH courthouse use and appointments to custodial positions.

Thu Sep 18, 2025

Commissioners

Commissioners will vote on two DOT orders of taking and review personnel matters

The board will review and approve personnel actions such as new hires, retirements, and classifications. They will vote on Department of Transportation orders of taking dated May 28, 2025 and June 25, 2025. Additional items include payroll and warrant review, invoice reviews, a facilities superintendent update, and an ARPA update. An executive session will address collective bargaining strategy.

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✓ Decided: Commissioners unanimously approved multiple $600k+ warrants and court project payments

The Bristol County Commissioners approved three September 2025 warrants totaling over $800,000, authorized several vendor payments for court facility projects, and endorsed Department of Transportation easement documents. All motions passed unanimously. No other business was taken up.

Wed Sep 3, 2025

Commissioners

Commissioners consider opioid settlement and FY25 budget amendment

The Bristol County Commissioners will review personnel actions, payroll warrants, and approve the minutes of the August 19, 2025 meeting. They will vote on an amendment to the FY25 end‑of‑year budget closing and transfer request. The agenda also includes discussion of the Purdue direct opioid settlement and several facility‑related payment proposals.

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✓ Decided: Commissioners approve various facility repairs and budget transfers

The Bristol County Commissioners approved several facility maintenance contracts, including gutter restoration and HVAC repairs. They also authorized a budget transfer for Bristol Aggie and an application for the National Opioids Settlement.

Tue Aug 19, 2025

Commissioners

Commissioners to review budget transfers and courthouse facility repairs

The Bristol County Commissioners will vote on FY25 budget closing and transfer requests. The body will also review invoices and repair authorizations for several county courthouses and the Fall River Children’s Museum.

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✓ Decided: Commissioners approve FY25 budget transfers and ratify union contracts

The commissioners unanimously approved employment appointments for the Bristol County Agricultural High School, adopted several payroll and accounts payable warrants, and authorized FY25 end‑of‑year budget transfers totaling $1.41 million. They also approved multiple facility invoices and repair quotes, accepted surplus technology equipment, ratified contracts with four labor unions, and then adjourned the meeting.

Tue Aug 5, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners approved $400,000 court repair payment and multiple $1M in warrants

The board approved several payroll and accounts‑payable warrants totaling $540,207.03. They also approved the August MIIA invoice for $486,379.94 and a second $400,000 payment to WPI for the New Bedford Superior Court repair contract. All motions passed with unanimous support from Commissioners Mitchell, Ruggiero, and Saunders.

Tue Jul 22, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners approved multiple contracts and a $100,000 historic preservation award

The Bristol County Commissioners unanimously approved a series of financial warrants, employment notices, and contract awards. They authorized a county credit card for the new County Administrator and appointed him as records access officer. Major awards included a $100,000 historic window preservation project in New Bedford and a $33,500 roof replacement for the Fall River Children’s Museum.

Thu Jul 10, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners approve $348,548 in FY 2026 insurance premiums

The Commissioners approved several FY 2025 budget transfers and encumbrances for the Agricultural High School and various court buildings. They also authorized insurance premiums for FY 2026 and approved two change orders for roofing and masonry work at the Taunton Superior Court.

Wed Jul 2, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners appointed Paul B. Kitchen as County Administrator with a $77,500 salary

The commissioners rescinded the June 24, 2025 vote on Air Masters and Elite Plumbing, then approved new contracts for valve work totaling $9,852 and $6,943 for the Taunton Superior Court and Registry of Deeds buildings. They accepted the resignation of County Administrator Gomes and appointed Paul B. Kitchen as the new administrator at an annual salary of $77,500. The meeting was adjourned at 11:44 pm.

Tue Jun 24, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: County commissioners approved FY2026 budgets and multiple facility contracts

The board ratified a $339,000 payment to WPI Construction for a court roof project and approved vacation carry‑over for several BCAHS employees. It also approved payments for a children’s advocacy center, carpet cleaning, museum repairs, and steam‑valve work. The commissioners adopted FY2026 budgets for all county registries, the print shop, the treasurer’s office, the commissioner’s office, and the building budget, and increased the county treasurer’s salary by $12,000.

Tue Jun 17, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Payroll Warrant #25135 for $230,407.28 approved

The commissioners read into the record Payroll Warrant #25135, which had been approved on June 16, 2025 for $230,407.28. A motion to close the public hearing and adjourn the meeting was made, seconded, and unanimously approved by both commissioners.

Tue Jun 17, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners approved an executive session to discuss potential litigation

Commissioner Saunders moved, and Commissioner Ruggatore seconded, to enter executive session at 4:17 p.m. to discuss potential litigation. All three commissioners voted yes, so the motion passed. The meeting then continued in closed session.

Tue Jun 10, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners approve $2.4M retirement liability payment and $1.5M retirement appropriation

The Bristol County Commissioners approved several high-value appropriations for retirement systems and health benefits. They also authorized a new insurance program for FY 2026 and hired a manager for the County Print Shop.

Wed May 28, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners award $1.235M contract for New Bedford Superior Court façade restoration

The Commissioners approved several facility maintenance contracts, including a major restoration project in New Bedford and a window study in Taunton. They also authorized the use of ARPA funds for emergency masonry repairs and approved multiple payroll and AP warrants.

Tue May 13, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners approve $526,333 for emergency masonry repairs

The Commissioners authorized the use of ARPA returned funds and state sustainable funds for emergency Phase 2 masonry repairs. They also approved several facility maintenance contracts and various payroll and accounts payable warrants.

Thu May 8, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners approve $434,856 emergency masonry repair for Taunton Superior Court

The Bristol County Commissioners approved a contract for emergency masonry repairs to the inner dome bricks and steel beams at the Taunton Superior Court. The project will be awarded to Folan Waterproofing and Construction Co., Inc. and funded via ARPA funds.

Tue Apr 29, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners approve $437,694.72 for May health benefit premiums

The Commissioners approved several payroll and AP warrants, health benefit payments, and a contract for actuarial services. They also authorized the acceptance of a $100,000 grant for window preservation at the New Bedford Superior Court.

Tue Apr 15, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners approve boiler replacement and fire chief funding

The Commissioners approved several maintenance contracts, including a boiler replacement for the Fall River Children’s Museum and a new lawnmower for the New Bedford 3rd District Court. They also authorized $25,000 for the Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association from the FY 2026 budget.

Tue Apr 1, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Bristol County Commissioners approve warrants and join Transatlantic Climate Alliance

The Commissioners approved three payment warrants totaling $1,213,855.43 and voted to join the Transatlantic Climate Alliance. They also authorized specific facility repairs and staff training costs.

Tue Mar 25, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners approve heating coil contract and health benefit rates

The Commissioners approved several facility repairs, including a $27,950 heating coil replacement for Taunton Superior Court. The board also accepted FY2026 health benefit rates and authorized a five-year software maintenance contract for the Northern Bristol County Register of Deeds.

Tue Mar 25, 2025

Commissioners

✓ Decided: Commissioners approve $27,950 heating coil replacement for Taunton Superior Court

The Commissioners approved several facility repairs, including a heating coil replacement and boiler repair. They also authorized a five-year software maintenance contract for the Northern Bristol County Register of Deeds and approved various payroll and expense warrants.