The Marshfield Select Board moved to finalize the next steps for the Martinson Elementary School roof replacement, voting to schedule a special town election for early next year. Following a presentation by school officials, the board debated the necessity of a debt exclusion to cover the town's portion of the $3.4 million project. Vice Chair Stephen R. Darcy emphasized the urgency of the timeline, noting that the ballot vote is the last step... we want to make sure we get those bids out because you want to get your bid in when people are still looking for jobs. Superintendent PATRICK SULLIVAN echoed this sentiment, stating that the district would like to get the bidding going with the MSBA actively because of the reasons that were outlined. Motion Made by Kelley to approve the wording of the proposed ballot questions submitted by bond council and town council relative to the proposed debt exclusion and the Martinson Elementary School roof and to set a local election date of Saturday, January 10th, 2026. Motion Passed 3-0

During the annual tax classification hearing, Principal Assessor Ann Marie Sinnott recommended maintaining a single tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year. Sinnott explained that while a split rate could offer minor residential relief, it would impose a significant burden on local businesses, noting that normally when you split the rate and move the burden, you have more like usually 20 to 30% of the commercial industrial personal property valuation that you can shift that burden to. Patricia Simpson expressed her support for the recommendation, stating I'm good regarding the data presented. Motion Made by Kelley that the town of Marshfield continue to tax all classes at the same rate by adopting a factor of one and reject the small commercial exemption, residential exemption, and open space discount. Motion Passed 3-0

The board also addressed a sudden vacancy in the Treasurer Collector’s office following the resignation of Sean Strobel. Interim Town Administrator Charles Sumner proposed a search committee and interim staffing plan, explaining that it's sort of all hands on deck; we use the resources that we have in house. To ensure financial stability, the board authorized Sumner to contract with outside financial services. Motion Made by Kelley to authorize the interim town administrator to award a contract to another financial services entity or person. Motion Passed 3-0 Chair Eric S. Kelley acknowledged the gravity of the upcoming season, remarking that this is going to be a big year for all of us and making decisions and some of them could be hard and may not make everybody happy.

In a split decision, the board appointed the Russell Dupere Law Firm as the town’s new labor counsel. While Darcy expressed a preference for the firm already serving on an ad hoc basis, Simpson opted for a change, stating I'd like to go in a different direction and I would like to go with attorney Dupere. Motion Made by Kelley to make the annual appointment of labor counsel for the town of Marshfield to law firm of Russell Dupere Law Firm. Motion Passed 2-1 Additionally, the board moved to tighten fiscal oversight by amending the capital budget bylaw. Darcy noted that anything that’s of an emergency or special nature should be the only thing on a special town meeting warrant. Motion Made by Kelley to approve a proposed general bylaw amendment to the town's capital budget bylaw... to insert the same in the spring annual town meeting warrant. Motion Passed 3-0

Finally, the board authorized emergency action to secure a dilapidated structure at 655 Ocean Street. Building Commissioner Andrew explained that the site required intervention following a vehicle accident in June, noting that as a public body, we are authorizing us to go onto somebody’s private property and do things on their property in the name of public safety. Motion Made by Kelley to authorize the building commissioner to employ a contractor to board up and or secure the property at 655 Ocean Street... and to authorize the placement and force of a lien to recover the cost of such work. Motion Passed 3-0