Somerset public meetings in 2021
20 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will meet to discuss various town programs and appointments. The body will consider voting to extend shared service agreements with the Town of Swansea and a temporary use application for the Old Town Hall parking lot.
- Proposed vote to extend shared Animal Control, Town Nursing, and Building Inspector services with the Town of Swansea
- Proposed appointment of Carolyn Lazaris to the Council on Aging Board
- Review of application for Wreaths Across American Mobile Exhibit at 1450 County Street on July 19, 2021
- Discussion on removing no parking signs on Brayton Avenue / Read Street bike path
- Executive session to conduct contract negotiations for Town Planner, Treasurer/Collector, and Town Administrator
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will discuss year-end budget transfers and review applications for temporary use of town property. The meeting includes an executive session to discuss litigation regarding Brayton Point, LLC and contract negotiations for the Town Administrator.
- Budget transfers including $44,500 from Town Accountant Salaries to Reserve Fund and $30,000 from Water Wages to Legal
- Gasoline and diesel storage application for Colbea Enterprises, LLC at 1833 Wilbur Avenue
- Temporary use application for Food Truck Festival at Bluffs, South Street on July 1, 2021
- Temporary use application for Car Show at Bluffs, South Street on September 18, 2021
- Temporary use application for Diabetes Association bus stop at Slade Ferry Park & Ride
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will review the Annual Town Meeting Warrant and motions. The body will also consider fire department appointments and the acceptance of various gift and donation accounts.
- Review of Annual Town Meeting Warrant and assignment of articles
- Fire Department appointments for Aaron Fisher, Jeffrey Langlois, Tyler P Paquette, and Bryan Syrett
- Acceptance of $3,250 donation from Bristol County District Attorney’s Office for Police General Donations
- Acceptance of donations for Police Officer Matthew Lima
- Vote to accept multiple gift and donation accounts for police, fire, veterans, recreation, and library
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will meet to review Town Meeting warrant articles and sign the Annual Town Meeting and Special Town Election warrants. The agenda also includes discussions on economic development, a police chief contract, and temporary outdoor dining licenses.
- Temporary Outdoor Dining license application for Jillian’s at 1876 Wilbur Avenue
- Temporary Outdoor Dining license application for Agoro’s at 2356 County Street
- Proposed amendments to Somerset Berkley Regional Agreement
- Review of Police Chief contract
- Discussion regarding an Open Meeting Law complaint from Holly McNamara
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will discuss the Police Chief contract and proposed amendments to the Somerset Berkley Regional Agreement. The body will also review and sign warrants for the Annual Town Meeting and Special Town Election.
- Temporary outdoor dining license application for Jillian’s at 1876 Wilbur Avenue
- Temporary outdoor dining license application for Liakos Pizza, Inc. (Agoro’s) at 2356 County Street
- Discussion of litigation strategy regarding Brayton Point LLC
- Review and signing of Annual Town Meeting and Special Town Election warrants
- Appointment of a board member to the Southeastern Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization (SMMPO)
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will meet via Zoom to conduct an open session followed by an executive session. The executive session is scheduled to discuss strategy and contract negotiations with the Chief of Police.
- Executive session regarding contract negotiations with the Chief of Police
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will meet to appoint an interim police chief and a representative to the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District. The board will also discuss the Zoning Recodification Project and complaints regarding Brayton Point.
- Appointment of Interim Police Chief
- Zoning Recodification Project discussion
- Brayton Point complaints discussion
- Vote to authorize one Board member to sign weekly Town Warrants
- Appointment of representative to the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District
Board of Selectmen
The Board will hold an executive session regarding police chief contract negotiations and a discussion involving Building Inspector Paul Boucher. The open session includes discussions on filling vacancies for the Select Board and Middle School Building Committee.
- Executive session: Police Chief contract negotiations
- Executive session: Discussion regarding Building Inspector Paul Boucher
- Discussion of vacancy on Select Board and Special Town Election date
- Appointment of a representative to the Somerset Middle School Building Committee
- Discussion of Swazey Road entrance to Buffinton Park
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will discuss filling a board vacancy, setting a special town election date, and appointing a representative to the Somerset Middle School Building Committee. The board will also review Town Meeting warrant articles and discuss the timeline for reopening town offices.
- Discussion of vacancy on Select Board and special town election date
- Appointment of a representative to the Somerset Middle School Building Committee
- Review and vote on Town Meeting warrant articles
- Discussion of Swazey Road entrance to Buffinton Park
- Executive session regarding contract negotiations for the Police Chief
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will discuss proposed Town Meeting Warrant articles and the reorganization of the Board. The meeting includes an executive session for contract negotiations and a review of local license and appointment requests.
- Temporary outdoor dining application for Magoni’s Ferry Landing at 681 Riverside Avenue
- Appointment of Reserve Police Officers Jordan Furtado and Shawn Raposo
- Contract negotiation for the Fire Chief
- Request to place signs on Town property regarding a new Middle School vote
- Review of proposed Town Meeting Warrant articles
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will meet to discuss and consider the approval of a sewer agreement between Somerset and Swansea.
- Discussion and consideration of Somerset / Swansea Inter-municipal Sewer Agreement
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will discuss proposed Town Meeting Warrant Articles and set a date for a special election regarding debt exclusion. The board will also consider zoning amendments and a property rezoning request.
- Proposed special election for debt exclusion on May 22, 2021
- Petition to amend Slade’s Ferry Crossing District Article 9.5.6C.4 of the Zoning By-law
- Petition to rezone 861 Brayton Point Road from Residential District to Business District
- Resident Permit Parking for Somerset Historical Society
- Temporary use of Waterfront Park for Congregational Christian Church worship on April 4, 2021
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will meet with department heads to discuss the Fiscal Year 22 Budget. The discussion covers a wide range of town services including public safety, infrastructure, and administration.
- Budget discussions for Police Department and E-911 Public Safety
- Budget discussions for Fire Department and Police/Fire Building
- Budget discussions for Highway Department, Snow Removal, and Street Lights
- Budget discussions for Recreation Department and Old Town Hall
- Budget discussions for Board of Health, Conservation, and Planning
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen and Board of Health will meet via Zoom. The primary purpose of the meeting is to enter an executive session to discuss litigation strategy regarding Brayton Point LLC.
- Executive session regarding litigation strategy for Brayton Point LLC
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will discuss the Fiscal Year 2022 budget schedule and vote deadlines for Citizens Petition Articles for the Open Town Meeting Warrant. The board will also review an Open Meeting Law complaint and a resolution regarding renewable energy and offshore wind.
- Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Schedule discussion
- Open Town Meeting Warrant vote deadlines for Citizens Petition Articles
- Open Meeting Law Complaint from Elizabeth Elmasian (February 5, 2021)
- Resolution in support of Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Renewable Energy, and Offshore Wind
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will discuss several proposed articles for a Special Town Meeting, including significant funding for water and wastewater infrastructure. The body will also hold a hearing regarding a liquor license violation and discuss the use of ARPA funds for drainage.
- Hearing on alleged liquor license violation by Gridlife Corp. (Grid Somerset) at 150 Slades Ferry Avenue
- Proposed $1.5M for water distribution system, storage tanks, reservoir, and treatment plant upgrades
- Proposed $500,000 for wastewater treatment plant, collection system, and pumping station repairs
- Proposed $250,000 for school improvement renovations and repairs
- Authorization of ARPA funds for drainage along Valley Road
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen, School Committee, and Middle School Building Committee are meeting to review the schematic design phase for the new Somerset Middle School. The boards will consider votes on the estimated construction cost, the total project budget, and the proposed schematic design for submission to the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
- Vote to approve estimated construction cost for Somerset Middle School
- Vote to approve total project budget for Somerset Middle School
- Vote to approve proposed schematic design for the new Somerset Middle School
- Presentation by Ai3 Architects on the Schematic Design Phase
- Discussion regarding Community Forum #6 scheduled for February 10, 2021
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will discuss a solar project on the closed municipal landfill at Brayton Point Road and the real estate assessment for the Fairfield Inn & Suite Marriott Somerset. The body will also consider the placement of stop signs on Riverside Avenue and Dublin Street at the intersection of South Street.
- Solar project on closed municipal landfill of Brayton Point Road (Assessor’s Map A9, Lot 229)
- Stop sign placement on Riverside Avenue and Dublin Street at the intersection of South Street
- Review and discussion of Town Planner’s contract
- Real Estate Assessment for Fairfield Inn & Suite Marriott Somerset
- Letter to Governor Baker regarding Brayton Point, LLC
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will consider an inter-municipal sewer agreement between Somerset and Swansea. The board will also discuss the Zoning Board of Appeal process and fee schedule.
- Somerset / Swansea Inter-municipal Sewer Agreement
- Zoning Board of Appeal process and fee schedule
- Real property negotiation regarding Slades Ferry Boulevard (Assessor’s Map B-1; Lot 139)
- Collective bargaining strategy for Firefighters Union
- Council on Aging committee vacancy
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen will meet to discuss a sewer agreement between Somerset and Swansea and the Zoning Board of Appeal's process and fee schedule. The board will also hold an executive session regarding the Firefighters Union and real property at Slades Ferry Boulevard.
- Somerset / Swansea Inter-municipal Sewer Agreement
- Zoning Board of Appeal process and fee schedule
- Real property negotiation for Slades Ferry Boulevard (Assessor’s Map B-1; Lot 139)
- Collective bargaining strategy for Firefighters Union
- Council on Aging committee vacancy