MARSHFIELD — Oct. 26, 2026 — The Marshfield Select Board on Monday approved higher local license fees but split the increases over two years and held the new seasonal all-alcohol fee to $1,000 rather than the proposed $1,500. During a session of about four and a half hours, the board also filled three police vacancies and put off a Council on Aging donation item.
The Full Story
License fees. The board took up a fee proposal prepared by Administrative Assistant Chelsea DaCosta, covering liquor, common victualler, entertainment and other licenses the board issues, to bring them in line with surrounding towns. Chair Rick Smith said the proposal had been posted for 30 days and that the few business owners who wrote in opposed the increases. Eric Kelley said the alcohol increases were too steep to take in one step, and Chris Rohland, participating remotely, favored a gradual increase.
As approved, the increases will be implemented over a two-year period, with 50% in the first year and the remaining 50% in the second. The proposed jump in the seasonal all-alcohol license from $500 to $1,500 was reduced to $500 to $1,000.
Police vacancies. The police department presented three candidates to fill three vacant full-time officer positions, not new positions. Asked about funding, police officials confirmed that the hires fill existing positions with existing money. The board voted by roll call to appoint Matthew Minichino, Robert MacNeil and Michael White as full-time permanent police officers. Kelley commented on the candidates’ absence from the meeting; Smith said the department had been told their attendance was not critical.
Pensions. Smith said the town’s unfunded pension liability is right around $60 million and that the county retirement system’s target date for full funding has slipped to 2032. Town Administrator Ted Langill said pension and healthcare take 30% to 45% of new revenue in the years shown and floated prepaying pension costs with one-time money; a prepayment next spring would not affect payments until the FY29 budget.
