Marshfield Select Board Explores Government Efficiency Study to Streamline Town Operations
Board discusses scope and costs of potential study while also considering new alcohol license conversion policy and addressing board appointment delays.
MARSHFIELD - August 11 - The Marshfield Select Board is exploring conducting a government efficiency study to examine town operations and potentially save money, Chair Eric Kelley announced at the Aug. 11 meeting.
Kelley said he wants to get feedback from fellow board members on the scope and cost of such a study, particularly given the town's expenses and the need to run operations more efficiently.
"I was thinking that if we would have put a resolution forward for this upcoming town meeting for maybe next time meeting to vote on," Kelley said. "Maybe we should do a deep dive in regards to how the town's operating maybe this way to save money and run the town more efficiently."
Vice Chair Steve Darcy expressed interest in the concept but wants more details about the scope and potential costs. He noted that the study could range from examining best management practices to suggesting major structural changes to town government.
"Most towns have like a one to three page indirect policy, ours is at least 29 pages, so there's a lot of administrative time wasted kind of ironing that out every single year," Darcy said as an example of potential improvements.
Darcy also pointed to other structural considerations, such as how some towns like Scituate have five-member select boards that oversee the Department of Public Works, eliminating the need for a separate Board of Public Works.
Board member Trish Simpson said she wants to see more specific information about what companies would examine and the areas they would focus on before moving forward.
The board agreed to research different companies and their approaches before making a decision on whether to propose the study at a future town meeting.
In other business, the board discussed adopting a new state law that would allow restaurants with beer and wine licenses to convert them to non-transferable all-alcohol licenses.
Town Counsel Bob Galvin explained that recent state legislation permits restaurants to trade their beer and wine licenses for all-alcoholic beverage licenses, as long as they continue operating and serving food. The converted licenses cannot be sold to other businesses, distinguishing them from regular all-alcohol licenses.
"It gives them an opportunity and if you decide to allow them to trade that license in, it doesn't count towards the maximum number that we already have," Galvin said. "So it's kind of like an extra license without counting against the numbers that we actually issue."
The policy would help restaurants that have been limited to beer and wine service expand their offerings without affecting the town's existing license cap. Darcy noted this addresses a longstanding issue for businesses like Don Bravo, which previously had to make margaritas with malt beverages during winter months.
The board voted unanimously to place the measure on the upcoming special town meeting warrant for voters to decide.
The board also addressed significant delays in committee and board appointments, with many positions remaining unfilled months after terms expired on June 30.
Multiple residents spoke during public comment expressing concern about the appointment process, with some current board members saying they learned through rumors that they might not be reappointed.
"I was very surprised to wake up this morning and find that I had to come here and beg to be put back on the Council on Aging," said Janice Fletcher, current chairperson of the Council on Aging board.
Darcy acknowledged the confusion and suggested the board needs more time to organize the process properly. He recommended having committee chairs interview and screen candidates before the Select Board makes final appointments.
"There's been a lot of confusion over this process usually we have this wrapped up by the end of June because that's when the terms expire," Darcy said.
The board voted to close applications for committee positions by 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 15 and asked committee chairs to provide feedback on candidates by Aug. 21.
The board approved a Purple Heart Month proclamation for August 2025, recognizing veterans who were wounded or killed while serving their country. Chair Kelley abstained.
"This is something when we first did it a few years ago was a requirement in order to become a Purple Heart community," Darcy said. "I think it's a nice way to recognize our veterans and Purple Heart recipients."
Other items approved by the board included:
• Multiple temporary liquor licenses for upcoming events including the Marshfield Fair, Lobster Fest, and various fundraising events
• Permission for several community events including block parties, road races, and charity walks
• Waiving zoning fees for the South River Park expansion project
• A donation of $500 to the Marshfield Animal Shelter from Girl Scouts Troop 77471
• Jake Cyrus's appointment to represent Marshfield on the North River Commission
The board also discussed but took no action on a proposed event rental policy for Harbor Park after receiving significant public feedback. Simpson said a revised policy addressing community concerns would be posted on the town website for further review.
The meeting concluded with the board entering executive session to discuss pending litigation and real estate matters.