Blackstone's main governing board. Sets town policy, approves major contracts, and makes key appointments.
220 items across 30 meetings.
July 7, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Standard opening and attendance.
• Status unclear
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
• Status unclear
Public comment period.
• Status unclear
No specific hearings or correspondence listed on the agenda.
💬 Discussed
The town's new Town Administrator will be introduced.
💬 Discussed
Update on the town's tax title and foreclosure process, with a related item revisiting foreclosure discussion from the June 16 agenda.
📋 Proposed
Appointments to boards and by the Town Administrator to be made.
📋 Proposed
Refinancing authorization tied to 44 Fox Run Road.
📍 44 Fox Run Road
📋 Proposed
New food-service license (#COMV-26-1) for Coldstuff Ice-cream LLC at 97 Main Street.
📍 97 Main Street
📋 Proposed
Approval of payroll warrants #27EWA03, #27PW03 and vendor warrants #27EW02, 27EW03.
• Status unclear
Closing procedural items.
June 30, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Approving minutes from the June 16 workshop (semi-quincentennial) and regular sessions.
📋 Proposed
State Rep. Michael Soter to give a presentation to the board.
📋 Proposed
Selectmen to award the bid for a bond-anticipation note (short-term town borrowing), tied to town financing.
📋 Proposed
Discussion of OpenGov, a government software platform; details not specified in the agenda.
📋 Proposed
Appointing Jennifer Witt to a 3-year term on the Library Board of Trustees.
📋 Proposed
One-day wine & malt license (#ODL-26-1) for The Daniels Farmstead event July 5, 10 AM–4 PM.
📍 286 Mendon Street
📋 Proposed
One-day entertainment license (#ENT-26-1) for a July 10 event, noon–8 PM (rain date July 11).
📍 114 Main Street
📋 Proposed
Approving the contract for the Town Accountant.
📋 Proposed
Three one-day liquor licenses (#ODL-26-2, -3, -4) for Blackstone Polish American Citizens Club events July 24, 25, and 26.
📋 Proposed
Approving payroll warrants #26EWA28, #26PW28, #27EWA02, #27PW02 and vendor warrants #26EW28, 27EW01.
June 30, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Approval of June 16, 2026 workshop (semi-quincentennial) and regular session minutes.
• Status unclear
Open public comment period.
💬 Discussed
State representative to give a presentation to the board.
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 30: board to award the bond anticipation note (short-term borrowing) bid; terms not specified in agenda.
💰 Amount not stated
💬 Discussed
Discussion of OpenGov, a government software/transparency platform; details not specified.
📋 Proposed
Appointment to a 3-year term on the Library Board of Trustees.
📋 Proposed
One-day wine and malt beverages license for a July 5 event, 10 AM–4 PM, at Daniels Farmstead.
📍 286 Mendon Street
📋 Proposed
One-day entertainment license for a July 10 event (rain date July 11), 12 PM–8 PM.
📍 114 Main Street
📋 Proposed
Board to approve the Town Accountant's contract; terms not specified.
💰 Not stated
📋 Proposed
Approval of payroll warrants #26EWA28, #26PW28, #27EWA02, #27PW02.
💰 Amounts not listed
📋 Proposed
Approval of vendor warrants #26EW28 and #27EW01.
💰 Amounts not listed
June 16, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Approving minutes from the June 2 workshop (Semi-quincentennial) and regular sessions.
📋 Proposed
Open public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Correspondence and updates from town departments.
💬 Discussed
Coming up June 16: status update on the Bellingham Road project.
📋 Proposed
Board of Selectmen/Town Administrator appointments to be made.
📋 Proposed
Year-end budget transfers between town accounts to be approved.
📋 Proposed
Employment agreement for the Town Administrator under review.
💬 Discussed
Discussion of the open Town Accountant position.
📋 Proposed
Releasing road opening permits #PN-01-23-H through #PN-11-23-H for 16 Auclair Street, 62 Mendon Street, 14 Howard Street, 613 Rathbun Street, and 26 Miller Street.
📍 16 Auclair St, 62 Mendon St, 14 Howard St, 613 Rathbun St, 26 Miller St
📋 Proposed
Approving road opening permit #PN-01-26-H for 74 Edgewater Drive.
📍 74 Edgewater Drive
📋 Proposed
Accepting a donation to the town.
💬 Discussed
Reviewing earth removal licenses for Kimball Sand Co., Inc. and Wayne Realty Trust.
💬 Discussed
Foreclosure Case No. 20 TL 000802 on Laurel Road property, Assessors' Parcel ID 03000000138.
📍 Laurel Road, Parcel ID 03000000138
📋 Proposed
Items the Chairman could not anticipate 48 hours before the meeting.
📋 Proposed
Approving payroll warrants #26EWA26, #26PW26, #26EWA27, #26PW27.
📋 Proposed
Approving vendor warrants #26EW26 and #26EW27.
📋 Proposed
Meeting adjourns.
June 2, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Approval of minutes from the May 12 workshop (semi-quincentennial) and regular sessions.
📋 Proposed
Public comment period; no specific public hearings listed.
📋 Proposed
Recognition of Gregory Haynes's promotion to Sergeant in the Blackstone Police Department, coming up June 2.
💬 Discussed
Selectmen will review outcomes from the recent Annual Town Meeting on June 2.
💬 Discussed
Discussion of an amendment to the Bellingham Road contract, coming up June 2.
📍 Bellingham Road
📋 Proposed
Renewal of a multi-year contract with Regional Resource Group covering fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
💬 Discussed
Discussion of the vacant Town Administrator position, coming up June 2.
📋 Proposed
Selectmen will appoint an ADA (disability access) Coordinator.
💬 Discussed
Discussion of a cleanup effort for the Riverwalk.
📍 Riverwalk
📋 Proposed
Vote to release 75% of the original cash bond for road opening permit #PN-01-25-H, amounting to $1,125.
💰 $1,125 (75% bond release)
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of payroll warrants.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of vendor warrant.
June 2, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Approval of May 12, 2026 workshop (semi-quincentennial) and regular session minutes.
• Status unclear
Open public comment period.
• Status unclear
Recognition of Gregory Haynes's promotion to Sergeant in the Blackstone Police Department.
💬 Discussed
Review of decisions and outcomes from the recent Annual Town Meeting.
💬 Discussed
Discussion of an amendment to the Bellingham Road contract.
📍 Bellingham Road
💬 Discussed
Discussion of a contract with the Regional Resource Group.
💬 Discussed
Discussion of the open Town Administrator position.
📋 Proposed
Appointment of an ADA (disability access) Coordinator for the town.
💬 Discussed
Discussion of a Riverwalk cleanup effort.
📍 Riverwalk
📋 Proposed
Vote to release 75% of the original cash bond for Road Opening Permit #PN-01-25-H, totaling $1,125.
💰 $1,125 bond release
📋 Proposed
Approval of payroll warrants #26EWA25 and #26PW25.
📋 Proposed
Approval of vendor warrant #26EW25.
May 12, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Meeting opens.
• Status unclear
Attendance taken.
📋 Proposed
Approving minutes from April 28, 2026 workshop and regular sessions.
• Status unclear
Open public comment period.
💬 Discussed
Hearing at 6:45 PM on a National Grid petition to install pole 15-50 about 100 feet right of pole 15 at 664 Rathbun Street, adding an under-slung disconnect for a recloser.
📍 664 Rathbun Street
• Status unclear
Department updates reviewed.
• Status unclear
Community announcements.
• Status unclear
Reports from board liaisons.
• Status unclear
Administrator updates.
💬 Discussed
Ongoing review of the FY27 town budget and warrant articles headed to Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Filling an unexpired one-year term expiring June 30, 2026.
📋 Proposed
Considering the Fire Chief's employment contract.
📋 Proposed
Reviewing a memorandum of understanding with the police union.
📋 Proposed
Considering a police sergeant promotion.
📋 Proposed
Reviewing updates to the town's buy-recycled purchasing policy.
📋 Proposed
Designating an earth removal official.
📋 Proposed
Vote on disposing or reselling old library phones.
• Status unclear
Items the Chairman could not anticipate 48 hours in advance.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of payroll warrants.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of vendor warrant.
• Status unclear
Wrap-up items and adjournment.
May 12, 2026 · minutes
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM by Vice Chairman Sweeney.
• Status unclear
Sweeney and Castonguay present; Keefe, Olaes, and Bulso absent.
💬 Discussed
Town's 250th-anniversary celebration planning is nearing final stages; organizers still seeking volunteers for subcommittees.
💬 Discussed
Carnival will be an open-access event with no admission fee; rides managed by wristbands/cards, with 60-65% on grassy area between track and school driveway and the rest on asphalt.
📍 between the track and school driveway
💬 Discussed
No carnival staff overnight; police patrols and State Police cameras to secure the site, and a MEMA emergency-response tabletop exercise is set for June 2, 2026 at 9 AM.
📍 Blackstone Municipal Center, 15 St. Paul Street
💬 Discussed
Advertising placements must be secured by June deadlines, with magnets, stickers, and yard signs in production, roughly 71 days before the event.
💬 Discussed
Opening ceremony planning ongoing; food vendors must obtain permits, and the Fire Department will review hydrant, cooling station, beer tent, and food placement.
✅ Approved
Adjourned at 5:17 PM by unanimous vote.
May 12, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
April 28, 2026 workshop (Semiquincentennial) and regular session minutes approved unanimously.
💬 Discussed
No Memorial Day parade this year due to July scheduling conflicts; ceremony Sunday, May 24 at 12 PM at Town Hall, ending at the Civil War Monument; full parade expected to return next year.
💬 Discussed
Annual Town Meeting set for May 26, 2026 at 7:30 PM at Blackstone-Millville Regional High School; an informational "Your Town Meeting" session was also announced to explain voting procedures.
💬 Discussed
A police officer and the Assessor's Office Data Collector resigned (Data Collector not funded in FY27); town's electric/aggregation contracts expire late 2026 with high current rates, likely a 36-month renewal, municipal light plant deemed infeasible.
💬 Discussed
Town engineers will present the St. Paul Street/Canal Street Bridge project at an upcoming Historical Commission meeting.
✅ Approved
Approved National Grid petition to install pole 15-50 near 664 Rathbun Street (Plan #31234028) for a recloser; no public comment.
💬 Discussed
Finance Committee recommended all warrant articles, differing only by recommending 3% raises (vs. Selectmen's 5%) for Collector/Treasurer and Town Clerk.
✅ Approved
Colleen Strapponi appointed Zoning Agent/Code Enforcement Officer through June 30, 2026, covering for Building Commissioner Vinny Tirone's military leave; passed 3-0-1 (Bulso abstaining).
✅ Approved
Approved a 3-year Fire Chief contract effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029.
✅ Approved
Approved a police union MOU giving hiring flexibility for candidates with prior service elsewhere; passed 3-0-1 (Sweeney abstaining).
✅ Approved
Officer Gregory Haynes, a 26-year veteran, promoted to Sergeant to fill a retirement vacancy.
✅ Approved
Approved updated Buy Recycled Policy required by MassDEP to keep grant eligibility (deadline June 1, 2026), replacing the 1998/2006 version.
✅ Approved
Authorized disposal or resale of outdated library phone equipment after a new VoIP system installation.
✅ Approved
Payroll warrants #26EWA24, #26PW24 and vendor warrant #26EW24 approved.
📋 Proposed
Volunteers' proposal to expand Blackstone River cleanup efforts to the Riverwalk will be placed on a future agenda.
May 12, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Minutes from April 28, 2026 workshop (semi-quincentennial) and regular sessions up for approval.
• Status unclear
Open public comment period for residents.
📋 Proposed
Hearing at 6:45 PM on Massachusetts Electric's petition to install pole 15-50 about 100 feet right of pole 15 at 664 Rathbun Street, with an under-slung disconnect for a recloser.
📍 664 Rathbun Street
💬 Discussed
Continued discussion of the FY27 budget and articles headed to Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Filling an unexpired one-year term expiring June 30, 2026.
📋 Proposed
Vote on a contract agreement for the Fire Chief.
📋 Proposed
Consideration of a memorandum of understanding with the police union.
📋 Proposed
Vote on a police sergeant promotion.
📋 Proposed
Consideration of updates to the town's Buy Recycled policy.
📋 Proposed
Vote on disposing of or reselling old Library telephone equipment.
📋 Proposed
Approval of payroll warrants #26EWA24, #26PW24 and vendor warrant #26EW24.
April 28, 2026 · minutes
💬 Discussed
Fireworks limited to four-inch shells with fenced, restricted safety zones near the launch site, after coordination with MEMA and the vendor; conservative approach due to wind conditions.
💬 Discussed
Food trucks, vendors, carnival, and fireworks viewing near the track finalized; off-site parking deemed unnecessary except Saturday evening, and shuttle services will not be implemented.
🔄 Postponed
Discussion on volunteer apparel tabled to a future meeting pending design and budget details.
🔄 Postponed
VIP arrangements deferred pending further planning.
💬 Discussed
Ceremony set for Saturday (~30-40 min); MEMA tabletop emergency exercise June 2, 2026; ~24 food trucks and 60-70 vendors expected, with fees generating significant revenue tracked via OpenGov.
💰 Food truck and vendor fees expected to generate significant revenue
💬 Discussed
Funding for event operations, plus the Town's ability to sell merchandise, depends on approval of an upcoming Town Meeting article; costs to be offset by sponsorships, vendor fees, and fundraising.
💰 Celebration budget pending Town Meeting approval
💬 Discussed
"Capture Our Town Through Art" contest and "Voice of Blackstone" video project ongoing; 5K registration low with more outreach planned; volunteer coordination and donated waste disposal being arranged.
💬 Discussed
PACC discussed fenced beer garden layout, tents, and public safety coordination; donated tents and portable fans planned for shaded seating, with an on-site walkthrough to finalize details.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 5:53 PM; next meeting May 12, 2026.
April 28, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Meeting opens.
• Status unclear
Attendance recorded.
💬 Discussed
Coming up April 28: planning the town's 250th anniversary event, covering layout, off-site parking and shuttles, volunteer T-shirts and budget, and VIP arrangements.
💰 Volunteer T-shirt budget to be determined
💬 Discussed
Reports from Ceremony, Public Safety, Marketing, Vendors, Art Contest, Voice of Blackstone, 5K, and Volunteers committees on celebration progress.
• Status unclear
Meeting ends.
April 28, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Meeting opens.
• Status unclear
Attendance taken.
💬 Discussed
Planning the town's 250th anniversary celebration, coming up April 28.
💬 Discussed
Deciding event layout plus off-site parking locations and shuttle service for the celebration.
💬 Discussed
Discussing volunteer T-shirts and setting a purchase budget.
💬 Discussed
Finalizing a plan for VIPs at the celebration.
💬 Discussed
Updates from Ceremony, Public Safety, Marketing, Vendors, Art Contest, Voice of Blackstone, 5K, and Volunteers committees.
• Status unclear
Meeting ends.
April 28, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Standard meeting opening.
💬 Discussed
Planning for the town's 250th anniversary celebration, covering event details and overall coordination.
💬 Discussed
Deciding event layout plus off-site parking locations and shuttle service for attendees.
💬 Discussed
Discussing T-shirts for volunteers and setting a purchase budget.
💬 Discussed
Formalizing a plan for VIPs at the celebration.
💬 Discussed
Updates from committees on ceremony, public safety, marketing, vendors, art contest, Voice of Blackstone project, 5K, and volunteers.
📋 Proposed
End of meeting.