Based on the detailed text content from the June 17th Select Board meeting in Grafton, several motions were made, discussed, and unanimously passed during the session, spanning appointments, budget transfers, agreements, and other town business.
The board voted unanimously on all motions presented in the June 17th meeting:
Appointments to Various Town Positions and Committees
- The board voted to appoint Miriah Killeen as a constable for the town to assist with legal services related to her employment.
- Noah Hoag was appointed to the Conservation Commission, bringing his environmental science expertise to local conservation efforts.
- Dorothy Naeimiento, Rita Zeffort, and Alice Perkins were appointed as election workers.
- A collective motion reappointed:
- Ken Grew to the Board of Assessors;
- Brook Padgett to the Board of Sewer Commissioners;
- Chief Neil Minardi as Keeper of the Lockup;
- Stephen Crowley and Aimee Smith to the Recreation Commission;
- John Bechard, Paul Cournoyer, Chief Neil Minardi, Dan Pogorzelski, John Reil, Scott Rossiter, Brian Szczurko as members of the Traffic Safety Committee.
- John Mulvey, Jeremiah O’Rourke, Michael Giradi, Darnell McGee, Sean Murray, James Ward as traffic control agents
End of FY2025 Interfund Transfers
The select board, alongside the finance committee, reviewed and unanimously approved the following interfund transfers during a joint meeting, totalling $700,575.43. This fiscal management ensured that all departments could close out the fiscal year without deficit while continuing to provide essential town services without interruption.
- School Department: Initially, the capital plan included PA system replacements for multiple school buildings. After reassessment, funding was redirected from less critical locations to focus on essential upgrades at Grafton Middle School and North Street Elementary, reflecting more accurate operational needs and handling higher-than-expected installation costs.
- Highway Department: Additional funds were transferred to cover increased costs for two vehicle purchases—a truck and a one-ton dump truck—due to rising quotes that exceeded original budget estimates. This ensured that essential vehicle replacements could proceed without delay.
- Personnel and Salary Accounts: Some unspent salary funds were identified due to staffing changes and positions remaining vacant. For instance, the inspector’s position had $36,000 in unused funds. Moreover, strategic staffing, like delaying the hire of two police lieutenant positions until February, saved over $100,000. These savings were redirected within departments to cover other budgetary shortfalls.
- Police Department: Unspent salary funds were allocated to critical departmental needs, including approximately $22,400 for IT communication upgrades, $48,000 for various building repairs and maintenance, and around $37,200 for staff training and equipment, reflecting efforts to maintain and improve facilities and preparedness.
- Debt and Operational Adjustments: A budget error in the Department of Public Works building construction account required an additional $35,000 to correct, and an interest payment on temporary debt exceeded estimates by $2,600. Other miscellaneous transfers included $3,000 for employee training in the inspection department, $8,000 to address under budgeting for animal control, $18,000 to cover higher-than-expected legal invoices due to increased activity, and $30,000 to rectify a deficit in the snow and ice removal account.
- Election Food Account: A deficit here was eliminated through these transfers, reflecting increased costs due to extended training and working hours of election workers who are provided meals.
- Two reserve fund transfer requests were approved:
- $7,800 for legal work and
- $1,719 (including a sublet estimate) for work related to Colette Motors.
Approval of Major Plans and Agreements:
- Emergency management plan for 2025: The board voted unanimously to approve and sign the comprehensive emergency management plan for 2025, which was described as extremely detailed and a critical living document for use in crises.
- The EMS service zone plan application was also approved, ensuring compliance with state regulations and allowing funding for emergency medical services to continue. Central Mass EMS is governing body for Grafton’s region and requires this plan for funding. This is an inventory of resources for medical emergencies as well as what to do prior to an ambulance’s arrival.
- Animal control: An intermunicipal agreement was extended among the towns of Westboro, Grafton, and Shrewsbury for animal control and inspection services for one additional year, through June 30, 2026. There was an update that the line item at town meeting for animal control was over budgeted and the cost will be reduced to approximately a third of what was budgeted. No changes were made to the contract.
- Grafton Upton Railroad: A joint meeting with the Grafton Upton Railroad is still to be scheduled. It was noted that communication with the GURR is the best it’s been in years and the Fire Chief is working on setting up training within the next year.
- Communication Plan for Tax Payment Changes: The town is sending out its next mailing on July 1st and it will include a brightly colored flyer highlighting the payment change. The town will also be using the non-emergency code red before the next two due dates as well as posting on social media and the town website. Information will also be published in the senior center newsletter as well as emailed to the senior center email list. This collection change saves the town $15,000 annually.
- Grant Conservation Restriction for 45 Creeper Hill Road: The town voted to grant a conservation restriction for 45 Creeper Hill road which abuts the Nelson Park Trust property at the request of the Greater Worcester Land Trust.
- Service Agreement for 95 North Street: The town voted to award a bid to Busy Bee Nursery for the passive recreation park at 95 North Street for $401,000. Town meeting voted to fund this project using CPA dollars in the amount of $685,777 in 2022.
- Fisherville Pond Dam Project: A contract amendment costing $51,000 was approved with Tighe and Bond for additional hydrologic analysis and design work related to the Fisherville Pond Dam project, funded by a FEMA grant.
Town Administrator Updates
- Millbury and North Street sidewalk projects are both making progress.
- George Hill Road is waiting on approval from the Army Corp of Engineers before the project can go out to bid. MetroWest Regional Services received its second 911 grant and hired its executive director.
- The fitness court at the municipal center is still on track.
Personnel and Employment Agreements
The board approved and signed a new three-year employment agreement for Fire Chief Eric Matthews, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, reflecting positive performance evaluations and commitment to retain leadership continuity.
Acceptance of Resignations
Resignations were acknowledged and accepted from:
- Bill Tuffs from the Conservation Commission
- Aaron Fill from the Accessibility Advisory Commission
- Dave Therrien from the Historical Commission.
Public comments
Kevin Brown Jr., a South Grafton resident and a member of the Grafton Cultural Council and Grafton Group (Facebook) stated that he has occasionally supported some board members in their reelection campaigns, and will continue to do so.
- Kevin requested consideration for an open spot on the Traffic Advisory Committee. Evan offered to review and keep his application on file for future openings.
- Kevin voiced his opposition to the No Kings rallies, including the rally held in Grafton. He supports Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. He stated that he believes in finding compromise solutions for migrants willing to follow standard protocols. He characterized the rally as rebellious against ICE officers. He hopes for a compromise.
Grafton Indivisible 