29 June 2026

Respectfully submitted, 
Sally Underwood-Miller

Present: Jorja Marsden [presiding], Cheryl Resetarits, Nancy Gilbert, Patty Caya, Bruce Auerbach, Sally Underwood-Miller

Cheryl Resetarits made a motion to approve the minutes of 7 May 2026. Patty Caya seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Patty Caya reported that she had contacted the town of Holliston and had spoken to Paul LeBeau, Holliston’s Town Administrator. He said he would be happy to speak to us regarding their experience. Members agreed that it would be good to invite him to a meeting.

Cheryl Resetarits brought up the creation of a survey. We would need to figure out what questions were most important to get answers regarding the process and the pros and cons of increasing the number of the Select Board (SB). Sally Underwood-Miller suggested that we also include former and current members of Stockbridge’s Select Boards.

Time commitments were one of the top questions in other surveys taken. Jorja Marsden noted that serving on a Select Board entails what you make of it. She checks in with the Town Administrator often to be on top of what the issues are.

Sally Underwood-Miller thanked Cheryl Resetarits for her work in getting the information from the town of Belmont. In reading their reports, Sally had several comments:

• Questions they asked:

Pros/Cons of moving to a 5-person board – thoughts and comments

• Why did the member not seek reelection? (Voted out? Term limits? Time to leave?)

She suggested that many of the same “cons” might exist with a 5-person board as with a 3-person board. Members might form alliances and be unwilling to compromise.

One comment that was brought up by a Belmont SB member was the increase might result in longer meetings. Sally thought that was a poor argument as deliberation and careful thought could lead to a better more reasoned outcome.

Having new members who have an “agenda” when first coming on to the SB might bring new ideas and spark interest in renewed focus for the SB.

As to increasing numbers of the SB, Jamie Minacci had once mentioned that it was occasionally difficult to balance her full-time job and extra duties she had as a SB member with sitting on other committees. 2 extra members could lighten the load.

What is the role of the Town Manager/Administrator? Jorja reported that Michael Canales reports to the SB for their approval on most issues.

Massachusetts law (MGL 32B) requires that paid positions must include benefits. While this would be an increased burden for the Town, younger potential candidates for SB might find health/retirement benefits to be a significant draw to run for a position.

As to the survey, Bruce Auerbach opined that the questions must be consistent for each person surveyed. Jorja pointed out that SB members do not always agree on what would be the best for the Town of Stockbridge.

Cheryl will get information from Paul LeBeau, and email potential survey questions for discussion at the next meeting.

Possibilities might be:

• Why did you want to become a SB member?
• How much time did you spend/week?
• How much did you contribute?
• Did you enjoy your time on the SB?
• Did you accomplish your goals? (If no, why not?)
• Did you have the opportunity to express your ideas?
• Did it turn out to be too much work?
• How many hours are enough?
• Was the division of the workload appropriate and fair?
• Was there adequate communication?

Some Belmont members felt that televised meetings had changed things. Some did not feel they could express their true thoughts in the same way.

A big question is whether there is enough interest to field a 5-person SB?

Is a 3-person SB less efficient in being able to manage time vs. work vs. communication?

Patty Caya wondered what a 3-person board cannot do if down a member. Might the constraints currently in place (e.g. Special Permit needing a “supermajority”) be changed to avoid the pitfalls of an absent member.

Is the balance correct between the Town Administrator (TA) and the SB? Jorja reported that the role of the TA has changed over the years. For many reasons, including the times and complications of modern life, much more of a burden has been placed on the full-time paid TA to gather facts, bids, regulations, etc., to present to the SB. Issues are much more complex, and laws are constantly changing, making it impractical for a part-time SB to keep up.

Is the SB a policy making Board?

Chairman Marsden stated again that there is no “end date” for the final report of this Committee. It will take as long as it takes for us to be satisfied with our recommendation.

The next meeting is set for 10am 2 September.