East Bridgewater Swears In Three New Police Officers, Addresses Contract Negotiations Dispute
EAST BRIDGEWATER - September 8 - The East Bridgewater Select Board welcomed three new full-time police officers to the department Monday evening, while also hearing directly from union representatives who expressed frustration with ongoing contract negotiations for clerical employees.
The Full Story
Police Chief Michael Jenkins presided over the swearing-in ceremony for Conner McDermott, Colin Briggs, and Jesse Heger, who had just completed a 22-week police academy program. The three officers will now enter a field training program lasting up to 12 weeks with experienced training officers before taking on full duties.
However, the evening's most contentious moment came during the open forum when Bryan Voci, business agent for Teamsters Local 653, addressed the board about stalled contract negotiations for clerical employees. "Town employee negotiations should not go that way, and they did," Voci said, describing the process as "disturbing" and comparing it unfavorably to negotiations he had handled with multi-billion dollar companies.
Voci was accompanied by three union members, including Olivia Verhaegen, senior clerk in the assessor's office and union steward, who announced that Friday would be her last day working for the town. "It's a help me help you situation, and there's no help coming back," Verhaegen said, citing pay issues as a primary reason for leaving.
Candy Boyle, a senior clerk in the building department, raised concerns about perceived inequity, stating that "the only people who aren't being included in getting any money are the women in the town hall." She noted that various management positions had received raises while union members had not.
Select Board members acknowledged the difficult situation but were limited in what they could discuss publicly due to ongoing negotiations. Board member Katherine Mullen emphasized that any appearance of gender discrimination was not intentional, stating this was "not something that we intend for you to feel like whatsoever" from "the first majority female board."
In other business, the board tackled a complex foreclosure situation at 279 Pine Street, where new state laws require municipalities to make decisions about foreclosed properties within 60 days. Attorney David Coppola explained that the town must now either sell the property through a realtor within six months or retain it for municipal use, with any proceeds above owed taxes returned to the former owner. The board voted unanimously to sell the property, with the current owner still residing there.
Town Clerk Kathleen Cavanagh and Town Accountant Melanie Dean addressed a bureaucratic issue regarding elected official salary approval procedures. Town Administrator Charlie Seelig explained that while the town appropriated money for a 2% increase in the town clerk's salary, the raise was never formally approved through the proper legal channels requiring a separate town meeting vote for elected officials' salaries. This procedural oversight will be corrected at the upcoming October special town meeting.
The board also approved appointments to the new Beautification Committee, with members Jennifer Cullen, Stacy Chen, Faeth Diver, and Kathryn Stanfa being sworn in. Faeth Diver, the only member present, expressed enthusiasm for the role, citing her corporate design background and passion for gardening.
Traffic concerns dominated another portion of the meeting, as residents from Old Plymouth Street requested updates on promised speed reduction measures. Despite speed limit signs being changed to 25 mph, residents reported continued speeding problems, with vehicles traveling 50-60 mph in the residential area. The board directed them to the newly formed Traffic Advisory Committee for formal review.
Planning Board representatives Kevin Reilly and Roy Gardner presented proposed zoning changes for B-2 and B-3 zones that would allow mixed-use development - commercial businesses on ground floors with residential units above. Gardner explained this would help struggling commercial property owners while creating more affordable housing units. The board approved sending the articles to the Planning Board for required public hearings.
Several other routine matters were addressed, including surplus equipment donations, event permits for upcoming community activities, and traffic regulation changes for Church Street Fields to address parking problems during youth sports events.
The meeting also featured recognition of significant achievements by Treasurer-Collector Megan Crosby and Assistant Treasurer-Collector Kerry Twohig, who both passed challenging certification examinations. Town Administrator Seelig noted that typically 60% of candidates fail these exams, making their success particularly noteworthy.
Why It Matters
The union representatives' appearance highlights growing tensions over municipal employee compensation at a time when the town faces budget constraints. With one experienced employee leaving and others expressing frustration, East Bridgewater risks losing institutional knowledge and skilled workers. The foreclosure decision establishes a precedent for how the town will handle similar situations under new state requirements, while the mixed-use zoning proposal could reshape commercial development along major roadways and provide more housing options.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To sell foreclosed property at 279 Pine Street. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:28:44)
Motion: To approve disclosure of financial interests for Treasurer-Collector Megan Crosby. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:34:30)
Motion: To appoint beautification committee members Jennifer Cullen, Stacy Chen, Faeth Diver, and Kathryn Stanfa. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:13:18)
Motion: To confirm receipt of zoning articles from Planning Board and request public hearing. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:45:20)
Motion: To approve Traffic Advisory Committee recommendation for no-parking signs on Church Street. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:53:22)
Public Comment
Open forum featured residents from Old Plymouth Street requesting updates on speed reduction measures, and union representatives expressing frustration with contract negotiations. Property dispute neighbors also spoke regarding a foreclosure-related land purchase request.
What's Next
The Traffic Advisory Committee will review Old Plymouth Street speed concerns. A special town meeting is scheduled for October 27th to address elected official salary procedures and zoning changes. The Special Town Election regarding the Central Elementary School project will be held November 15th at Gordon Mitchell Middle School. Foreclosed property at 279 Pine Street will be listed with a realtor within six months.